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Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team has announced that George Russell will sit out the first free practice session (FP1) at the Bahrain Grand Prix. In his place, reserve and development driver Frederik Vesti will take the wheel of the W16, as part of the team’s compliance with Formula 1’s rookie driver mandate.
Under current F1 rules, each team must run a rookies defined as a driver with two or fewer Grand Prix starts—in at least two FP1 sessions over the course of the season. Mercedes has chosen the Bahrain round as one of those opportunities, giving 23-year-old Danish driver Vesti valuable track time in current machinery.
This will be Vesti’s third FP1 appearance during a Grand Prix weekend, having previously driven in Mexico and Abu Dhabi in 2023. His return to the car reflects Mercedes’ long-term strategy of nurturing future talent while preparing for the challenges ahead.
Speaking via Mercedes’ official channels, Vesti expressed his excitement about driving the W16 for the first time. “I’m really looking forward to experiencing the W16 during FP1 in Bahrain,” he said. “It’s exciting to take everything I’ve worked on in the simulator and apply it on track
Vesti emphasized his determination to make the most of every opportunity in 2025. “At the beginning of the year, I set a goal to maximize every moment I get behind the wheel, and that’s exactly what I intend to do in Bahrain. I’ll also do my best to support the team, George, and Kimi throughout the weekend
The move comes at a time when Mercedes is building momentum early in the 2025 season. With Lewis Hamilton’s recent departure, the team’s current lineups featuring Russell and rising star Kimi Antonelli represents a new era. Incorporating Vesti into race weekend activities allows Mercedes to evaluate young talent while maintaining strong support for their main drivers.
Vesti’s FP1 outing not only helps Mercedes fulfill its rookie driver obligations but also plays into their broader development program. With a focus on long-term success, Mercedes continues to invest in future stars by integrating them into reals world F1 sessions and gathering meaningful data from their performances.
As the 2025 campaign unfolds, attention will be on how Mercedes balances immediate competitiveness with the growth of its next a generation drivers like Vesti positioning themselves for continued success in the seasons ahead.
