Mercedes Confirm Driver Change for Mexico GP FP1 as Frederik Vesti Steps In for George Russell
Mercedes have officially confirmed that Danish driver Frederik Vesti will take the wheel of the W15 during the first practice session (FP1) at this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix. The 22-year-old Mercedes junior will replace George Russell for the opening session at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, fulfilling part of Formula 1’s rookie driver participation rule.
Under FIA regulations, each Formula 1 team must allocate two FP1 sessions per car throughout the season to a rookie — a driver who has competed in no more than two Grands Prix. For Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli had already completed the requirement for one car earlier this season, meaning only Russell’s seat needed to be made available for another young driver. That opportunity now goes to Vesti, who continues to climb the ranks within the Mercedes Driver Development Programme.
This weekend’s appearance will mark Vesti’s fourth FP1 outing in three years, having previously driven for the Silver Arrows in Abu Dhabi (2022), Bahrain (2023), and earlier this year during pre-season running. The Danish talent, who finished as runner-up in the 2023 Formula 2 Championship, is no stranger to the Mercedes garage and has been heavily involved in simulator work throughout the 2024 campaign.
Speaking ahead of his return, an enthusiastic Vesti said,
> “I am extremely happy to get back behind the wheel of the W15 for FP1 in Mexico this weekend. It’s always an incredible experience to represent Mercedes on track. Over the past few months, I’ve spent countless hours in the simulator, helping the team prepare for different races, and now I finally get to translate that work into real-life data and performance.”
Vesti emphasized that the outing is not just an opportunity for him personally, but also a chance to give back valuable feedback to the engineers and simulator team back at Mercedes’ Brackley headquarters.
> “This new opportunity will help me continue growing as a driver, but more importantly, it allows me to contribute further to the team. The more I learn in the car, the more accurately I can replicate and analyze performance in the simulator, which ultimately helps George, Lewis, and the entire factory,” he added.
The Danish racer has been keeping busy this year, competing successfully in endurance racing. Vesti recently celebrated back-to-back victories in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, triumphing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Petit Le Mans event at Road Atlanta. Those experiences, he believes, have kept his reflexes sharp and prepared him for the physical challenge of returning to an F1 cockpit.
> “My endurance racing season has been really valuable — it’s kept me race-fit, focused, and mentally prepared. I’ve also been doing a lot of neck training because, as every driver knows, Formula 1 cars put immense strain on the body, especially at high-altitude tracks like Mexico,” Vesti said.
The Mexico City circuit, located over 2,200 meters above sea level, is notorious for its thin air and the physical toll it places on both cars and drivers. It will be another key test for Vesti as he continues to make his case for a future full-time seat in Formula 1.
Mercedes have shown consistent faith in their young driver, giving him multiple opportunities to develop his skills and gather real-world F1 experience. Team principal Toto Wolff has previously praised Vesti’s work ethic, describing him as “a mature, disciplined, and fast driver who continues to impress everyone at Brackley.”
Vesti rounded off his statement with gratitude and determination:
> “I want to thank the entire team for trusting me again with this chance. Every time I step into the car, I aim to show progress and repay the belief they’ve placed in me. I’ll give it my all in Mexico and make sure we gather useful data for the weekend.”
As Mercedes prepare for another competitive weekend, all eyes will be on the young Dane when FP1 begins on Friday. For Frederik Vesti, it’s not just another practice run — it’s another important step toward his dream of becoming a full-time Formula 1 driver with the Silver Arrows.
