Frederik Vesti will return to the wheel of a Mercedes for FP1 at the Barcelona Grand Prix, taking Kimi Antonelli’s place in the W14.
It won’t be the first time Vesti has driven Mercedes machinery; his debut session was back in 2023, alongside his PREMA F2 campaign. Since then, he’s taken on a role as a reserve driver for the team. As well as post-season tests and many of their rookie sessions.
Teams are required to field a rookie driver for four FP1 sessions a season. Vesti won’t be the only rookie driver on the track, with Luke Browning, Leonardo Fornaroli and Colton Herta all stepping into F1 cars.
Antonelli won’t have to worry, with Vesti’s role as Reserve driver giving him more than enough experience to keep the car in safe hands.
The 19-year-old Italian has had a 66-point lead in the driver’s standings. After taking a fifth consecutive victory in Monaco. He’s on a blinding streak with no end in sight. Meanwhile, Russell sits third with just one win to his name this season.
The Brit has been hoping to fight back with his younger teammate, but the results have left him wanting. It won’t be until FP2 that Antonelli will know whether he’s on for a sixth victory in Barcelona.
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