Mercedes announce George Russell FP1 absence due to…..read more
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 202
