Mercedes has announced the signing of Danish driver Frederik Vesti to its junior programme ahead of the 2021 season.
Vesti raced in the FIA Formula 3 Championship last season with Prema, ending the campaign fourth in the standings with three race victories and one further podium to his name.
Mercedes has promoted three of its junior drivers to F1 since 2016, with George Russell becoming the first to race for the front-running team when he stepped in for Lewis Hamilton at last year’s Sakhir Grand Prix.
In his first year as part of the Brackley-based squad, Vesti will remain in the F3 series this year, making the switch to ART Grand Prix.
“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,” Vesti said.
“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.”
Prior to Vesti’s maiden F3 season in 2020, he won the Formula Regional European Championship in 2019, which remains his only junior Championship success thus far.
Vesti is one of five Mercedes junior drivers, joining Russell, Paul Aron and karting’s Alex Powell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
