Mercedes Announce New Driver Replacement as George Russell Will NOT P…read more
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team have officially confirmed that George Russell will not take part in the 2025 British Grand Prix and that a replacement driver has been appointed ahead of Sunday’s race at Silverstone.
The announcement came after Russell was ruled unfit to race due to medical reasons, following assessments conducted jointly by Mercedes and FIA medical staff. The team has since confirmed that reserve driver Frederik Vesti will step in to fill Russell’s seat for the race.
“Following a detailed medical evaluation, George Russell has been declared unfit to participate in today’s race. As a result, Mercedes have appointed Frederik Vesti to compete in the British Grand Prix,” the team said in an official statement.
Russell, who had qualified strongly and was seen as a major contender at his home race, expressed his disappointment in a brief social media post:
“I’m gutted to miss out on racing at Silverstone today. I’ll be supporting the team from the garage and wish Frederik the very best.”
This marks Frederik Vesti’s first Formula 1 Grand Prix start, having previously served as Mercedes’ reserve and Formula 2 runner-up. The team expressed full confidence in Vesti’s ability to step up on short notice and deliver a strong performance under pressure.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the challenge of the sudden change but reiterated that the decision was made with Russell’s health and long-term season in mind.
“While it’s disappointing to lose George for such a crucial race, we’re prioritizing his full recovery. Frederik has been preparing for this opportunity and we’re confident he’ll rise to the occasion.”
The surprise driver change adds a dramatic twist to the British Grand Prix, as Vesti prepares to make his F1 race debut in front of a passionate Silverstone crowd.
Further updates on Russell’s recovery are expected in the coming days.
