Vesti: Mercedes F1 junior tag doesn’t add extra pressure
Joining the Mercedes Formula 1 junior programme does not add extra pressure, according to new recruit Frederik Vesti.
The Danish FIA Formula 3 driver was announced as Mercedes' latest junior following in the footsteps of current F1 stars Esteban Ocon and George Russell.
Vesti's inclusion in the scheme comes after an impressive fledgling single-seater career to date that includes the 2019 Formula Regional European title, and fourth overall in his maiden FIA F3 Championship campaign last year.
While admitting selection to Mercedes' prestigious junior programme is a "valuable opportunity", it doesn't come with any extra pressure.
Vesti is expected to visit the team's Brackley base in between his FIA F3 commitments to enjoy some seat time in the simulator.
"Pressure is always there, ever since you start racing karts, but for me the choice of Mercedes does not mean pressure, rather having a great opportunity to work with a group of extremely competitive and prepared people," Vesti told Motorsport.com.
"Joining the Mercedes junior programme is a valuable opportunity for my career.
"A deal like this takes time. The team needs to see my growth as a driver, while I need to understand if the team is able to give me all the tools to grow.
"Before signing the contract I had to show all my potential.
"They started following me three years ago, but at the beginning they were only superficial contacts.
"When I started to win we started to talk and they evaluated not only the positive moments, but also how I reacted in the negative ones."
Vesti will however be aiming to impress this year in what will be his second season in FIA F3.
The 19-year-old has switched from last year's championship winning squad Prema Racing, where he scored three race wins, to join ART Grand Prix.
After finishing fourth last year, the aim is to take out the title this season.
"Obviously that is the goal I want to achieve, but to achieve it I have to focus on working as well as possible with my new team, ART Grand Prix, and I will have to get to know all the new members of the team and then sit in the car and go as fast as possible," he added.
"At the same time we will have to grow race by race in order to aim for the title."
Vesti is set to return to the track in a series of pre-season tests beginning at Jerez on 25-26 February, before the season commences at the Spanish Grand Prix on 7-9 May.
Related video
Ranked: Williams' top 10 Formula 1 cars
How's Ferrari season-long pain highlights 2021 engine task
How Ferrari gained a new edge over McLaren in F1 2021 battle
Supremacy in the McLaren vs Ferrari fight over third place in the constructors’ championship has ebbed and flowed between the two teams so far in the 2021 Formula 1 season. But for several key reasons, right now it seems the advantage has swung decisively back to the Scuderia and McLaren knows it.
The details that boosted Verstappen and held back Hamilton in Austin
As the 2021 Formula 1 title battle winds towards its climax, the United States GP added another thrilling act in the Lewis Hamilton-Max Verstappen battle. Although Hamilton aced the start, Verstappen and Red Bull took the initiative with strategy and were richly rewarded, despite Mercedes' best efforts as the race went down to the wire
On a baking hot afternoon in Texas, Formula 1 drivers were tested to their limits. As the pressure on the title contending squads reaches an ever-greater level of intensity, the foremost challengers again showed their class, but were outshone by a standout drive from the upper midfield
The 10 greatest drives of lost legend Jo Siffert
It's 50 years since Jo Siffert was killed in his prime at Brands Hatch. The Swiss scored just two world championship wins in a Formula 1 career spent largely with privateer teams, but showed on numerous occasions in single-seaters and in sportscars with Porsche that he could beat any of the best drivers of his era given the right equipment.
Why a misunderstood Kimi Raikkonen will thrive in retirement
Three years on from Kimi Raikkonen's last Grand Prix victory at Austin, he is now six races away from ending the longest Formula 1 career in history. His friend and former Ice1 Racing rally team PR man Anthony Peacock explains why there’s nobody quite like the 2007 world champion and why F1 will miss him (but he won’t miss it).
How Verstappen has become F1 champion material
As Red Bull and Honda go all-out for victory in the Japanese engine manufacturer’s last season of its latest Formula 1 dalliance, Max Verstappen finds himself thrust into a compelling title fight with Lewis Hamilton. He told OLEG KARPOV about his evolution into a world championship contender and why Red Bull's no compromise ethos suits him down to the ground
Why long-run times should please Red Bull in Austin F1 battle
Mercedes has been on a roll of late in the ultra-tight fight to win the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It started off well in practice at Austin for this weekend’s US Grand Prix, but Red Bull got closer as Friday unfolded and even seemed to find an edge in one critical area of what seems set to be set to be another close contest.
The six critical factors that could hand F1 2021 glory to Hamilton or Verstappen
The 2021 Formula 1 title battle is finely poised with six races remaining, as just six points separate championship leader Max Verstappen from seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. In such a closely-fought season, the outcome could hinge on several small factors playing the way of Red Bull or Mercedes