Sports · Motorsport · 2 hrs ago
Frederik Vesti to replace George Russell in Mexico GP practice
George Russell will miss Mexico’s first practice session while Mercedes gives his car to reserve driver Frederik Vesti.
Vesti will drive the Mercedes W17 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City.
The session is part of Formula 1’s requirement for teams to give rookies four practice outings over the season, two in each car.
The rule gives young drivers time in current F1 cars and helps them gain experience.
Vesti has been part of Mercedes’ junior programme since 2021 and also works on the team’s simulator.
Other teams will also field rookies in Mexico, including Alpine’s Gabriele Mini and Williams reserve Luke Browning; the session will give the teams data and feedback before the rest of the weekend.
Frederik Vesti will drive George Russell’s Mercedes W17 in first practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix.
The session will be Vesti’s third outing of the season with Mercedes, according to Motorsport.com.
The change gives Mercedes a rookie entry in the session, as teams meet Formula 1’s rookie participation requirements.
Vesti said he was grateful for the opportunity and thanked Russell for lending him the car.
Other teams are also giving young drivers practice outings in Mexico.
- Who
- Frederik Vesti will drive for Mercedes, replacing George Russell in first practice.
- What
- Vesti will take the wheel of Russell’s W17 in FP1 at the Mexico Grand Prix.
- When
- Friday during the Mexico Grand Prix weekend; the specific date is not stated.
- Where
- Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City.
- Why
- Mercedes is using a rookie in the session to meet Formula 1’s rookie participation requirements.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Vesti took part in first-practice sessions at Barcelona-Catalunya and the Hungaroring, according to GPFans.
Vesti announced on social media that he would drive Russell’s Mercedes in FP1 in Mexico City.
Vesti is due to drive the W17 in first practice.
- Driver
- Frederik Vesti
- Replaced driver
- George Russell
- Car
- Mercedes W17
- Session
- First practice at the Mexico Grand Prix
- Venue
- Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City
- Season outing
- Third Mercedes outing of the season, according to Motorsport.com
3 sources
What people are saying
Some good news for a Tuesday! I’ll be driving FP1 in Mexico City in the W17 👏 Thanks to the team @MercedesAMGF1 as always for the opportunity. See you all there!
Huge thank you to George for letting me drive your car,
Posts on X
Some good news for a Tuesday! I’ll be driving FP1 in Mexico City in the W17 👏 Thanks to the team @MercedesAMGF1 as always for the opportunity. See you all there!