Frederik Vesti will replace George Russell for FP1 at the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.
With drivers who have completed fewer than two Grands Prix classified as rookies, Andrea Kimi Antonelli completed his two rookie FP1 sessions in Australia and China, meaning that his seat is safe for rest of this season with no requirement to skip FP1 for other rookie drivers.
Russell however has to give his seat up twice in FP1 to ensure that Mercedes comply with the requirement to run rookie drivers during the first practice session, which has seen the Silver Arrows opt to displace the Brit for the opening session in Bahrain with Vesti selected as his replacement.
Vesti previously drove for Mercedes during FP1 sessions in Mexico and Abu Dhabi in 2023 and is ready to drive the W16, having conducted simulator work at the team’s base in Brackley, UK.
“I am really looking forward to getting my first taste of the W16 in FP1 in Bahrain.
“Being able to put all of my simulator work into practice on the track is a really exciting prospect for me.”
Vesti added that he had set himself a goal to maximise his time in F1 machinery in 2025, especially alongside his first IMSA campaign – of which he is racing for Cadillac who are set to enter F1 next season.
“At the start of the year, I set myself the goal of maximising every chance I get behind the wheel of an F1 car in 2025, and that is what I hope to achieve in Bahrain.
“I will be doing everything I can to help the team, George, and Kimi get set for the rest of the weekend.
“I am grateful to Mercedes for once again giving me this opportunity.”
