Mercedes adds Frederik Vesti to its junior driver programme

Mercedes AMG Motorsport F1 Team has confirmed that it has added 2020 Formula 3 frontrunner Frederik Vesti to its junior driver programme for the 2021 season.

The addition of Vesti to its junior driver programme is Mercedes’ first junior recruit in over a year. The Dane raced in the FIA Formula 3 Championship last year, ending up fourth in the Drivers’ Standings with Prema. He will remain in FIA F3 for a second season in 2021, moving to ART Grand Prix.

The 19-year-old started his single-seater carrier in the Formula Ford Denmark series in 2016 where he finished fourth in his first year. Next season saw Vesti compete in three different countries – in the Formula 4 ADAC Championship in Germany, in the F4 Danish Championship in his home country and in the Formula 4 United States Championship in the USA.

The Vejle-born driver then raced in F4 ADAC, the Italian F4 Championship and the FIA Formula 3 Championship in the following year. He has recorded his greatest success in 2019 when he took the title in the Formula Regional European Championship, scoring 13 wins in 24 races.

Commenting on his signing, Vesti said: “I’ve dreamed of being a Mercedes junior and worked so hard for it, for so many years and that motivation has lifted me every single day. To now be working with Mercedes, the best team in the world, is a massive boost for my career, and I am really looking forward to building a powerful relationship in the future.

“I admire Mercedes so much for their mentality and their hard-working attitude, which has helped them become so successful. They choose their junior drivers very carefully, so I am really excited to be part of the programme, working with them and developing as a driver. Thank you to Toto and the team for their trust in me and my future.”

On the team’s new junior driver signing, Gwen Lagrue, Driver Development Advisor for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, said: “Fred’s commitment and dedication is something we love to see and hugely respect.

„I remember him sending me updates on his debut seasons in single-seaters and letting us know details of his progress, which is something we always appreciate. His Formula Regional European Championship in 2019 was impressive and in FIA F3 last year, he was very consistent. We are happy to welcome him into the Mercedes family and look forward to seeing him fight for the title this season in FIA F3,” he said.