Fred Vesti Reveals How He Joined Mercedes’ Junior Programme and Keeps His F1 Dream Alive
Mercedes’ third driver Fred Vesti explains the unconventional path that led him to the team and why he remains determined to race in the top tier.
In the latest episode of the official F1 podcast F1 Beyond the Grid, Mercedes‑Mercedes’ third driver Fred Vesti opened up about the unlikely journey that landed him in the team’s Junior Programme. According to Formula1.com, Vesti’s story is a mix of perseverance, networking and a bit of serendipity.
Vesti began his career in karting in Switzerland before moving to the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2019. He was a standout performer, finishing third overall and earning a place on the Mercedes Junior list in 2020. What makes his story unusual, Vesti says, is that he was not a product of the traditional Mercedes driver development pipeline. Instead, he was spotted by a Mercedes scout during a private test session in Austria, where his raw pace and composure impressed the team’s technical staff. The scout then arranged a meeting with Mercedes’ sporting director, who saw potential in the young driver’s work ethic and adaptability.
Since joining the programme, Vesti has been involved in a range of development projects, from tyre testing to aerodynamic simulations. He also spends time in the team’s simulator, working closely with senior engineers to fine‑tune car setups for the upcoming season. Despite being a third driver, Vesti has expressed that his ambition remains clear: to secure a race seat in Formula 1. He credits the support from Mercedes’ mentorship structure and his own relentless training regime for keeping that goal alive.
For Indian fans, Vesti’s journey is a reminder that the road to F1 can come from many directions. His story underscores the importance of seizing opportunities and building relationships within the sport. The next time you watch the Mercedes car on the track, keep an eye on the young Swiss driver who could one day take his place in the cockpit. Fans in India can follow his progress on the official Mercedes F1 channel and catch live coverage of the upcoming races on FanCode, with commentary in Hindi and English.
Source: Formula1.com