As Mercedes’ only academy driver on the official Road to F1, Frederik Vesti is under no illusions as to the weight of expectation he’s now got to shoulder, but the 19-year-old Formula 3 racer has been waiting for this opportunity a long time, having initially opened discussions with the Brackley-based team more than three years ago.
In that period, Mercedes have had just one junior driver on the Road to F1 – George Russell – while Vesti has had multiple offers from other Formula 1 academies, turning each down in the belief his dream deal would become a reality.
Speaking ahead of the F3 season opener in Barcelona this weekend, the Danish racer says it’s been worth the wait.