Mercedes Confirm Driver Change for Mexico GP FP1 as Frederik Vesti Replaces George Russell
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team have officially announced that their junior driver, Frederik Vesti, will take the wheel of the W15 during the opening practice session (FP1) at the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend. The Danish racer will step in for George Russell, as the team fulfils Formula 1’s rookie driver participation rule, which requires every team to give emerging talents a chance to drive in at least two FP1 sessions per season.
Under FIA regulations, each F1 team must run a rookie — defined as a driver with no more than two Grand Prix starts — in two FP1 sessions per car over the course of a season. Mercedes have already completed one of these rookie obligations earlier in the year when Andrea Kimi Antonelli drove in a practice session. That meant only Russell’s car still needed to be handed over to a young driver, giving Vesti the opportunity to showcase his progress and continue gaining valuable experience behind the wheel of an F1 machine.
This weekend’s outing will be Vesti’s fourth FP1 appearance with the team in three years. The 22-year-old previously drove for Mercedes in Abu Dhabi (2022), Bahrain (2023), and during pre-season testing earlier this year. A graduate of the Mercedes Junior Driver Programme, Vesti has steadily risen through the ranks, earning praise for his strong performances both on and off the track. He finished as the runner-up in the 2023 Formula 2 Championship, narrowly missing out on the title but cementing his reputation as one of the most promising young drivers in the sport.
Vesti has also played a crucial role in Mercedes’ simulator operations, working closely with engineers to provide data and feedback that help optimise race setups. Speaking ahead of his FP1 return, the Danish driver expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity:
“I’m extremely happy to get back behind the wheel of the W15 in Mexico this weekend. It’s always a huge privilege to represent Mercedes on track. Over the past few months, I’ve spent many hours in the simulator helping the team prepare for races, and now I get to translate that work into real-life performance and data.”
For Vesti, this session is more than just a personal milestone — it’s also a chance to repay the faith Mercedes have shown in him and to provide meaningful insights for both the trackside and simulator teams.
“This opportunity is important for my own development as a driver, but even more importantly, it allows me to contribute to the team’s progress,” he added. “The more experience I gain in the car, the better I can replicate its behaviour in the simulator. That means I can help George, Lewis, and the engineers at Brackley with even more accurate feedback.”
While waiting for a full-time F1 seat, Vesti has kept himself sharp by competing in endurance racing. His 2025 campaign in the IMSA SportsCar Championship has been impressive, with back-to-back victories at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. Those successes have allowed him to maintain peak fitness, focus, and adaptability — all vital qualities for a driver stepping back into an F1 car.
“Endurance racing has been a fantastic experience for me,” Vesti said. “It’s kept me fit and mentally prepared, and I’ve done a lot of neck training to handle the G-forces of Formula 1. Mexico is especially challenging because of the high altitude — the thinner air makes it harder for both the car and the driver.”
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, sitting more than 2,200 meters above sea level, presents unique difficulties due to reduced air density. It affects downforce, engine cooling, and overall driver stamina, making it a true test of endurance and precision. For Vesti, mastering those conditions will be another step toward proving his readiness for a future F1 race seat.
Mercedes have long been supportive of Vesti’s career, giving him consistent opportunities to test and learn in the F1 environment. Team principal Toto Wolff has repeatedly praised his professionalism, describing him as “a mature, disciplined, and fast driver who continues to impress everyone at Brackley.”
In his closing remarks, Vesti expressed deep gratitude toward the Mercedes family and reiterated his determination to make the most of his FP1 run:
“I want to thank the entire Mercedes team for giving me this chance once again. Every outing is an opportunity to learn and improve. My goal is to show progress each time I step into the car and to provide the engineers with valuable data for the weekend. I’ll give it my absolute best in Mexico.”
As Mercedes aim for another strong performance in Mexico City, attention will undoubtedly turn to their young protégé. For Frederik Vesti, this FP1 session represents far more than a routine practice drive — it is another vital chapter in his journey toward becoming a full-time Formula 1 driver with the Silver Arrows, and possibly one of the sport’s next big stars.
