P1racenews AI automatic summary:
FIA Formula 2 star Fredrik Vesti will replace Lewis Hamilton in first practice for the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – but who is he? And why is he driving the W14?
According to the regulations, teams in Formula 1 must have a rookie driver participate in at least two races during the season. Many teams have chosen to fulfill this requirement during the final race in Abu Dhabi. Mercedes is one of the teams that will be fielding a rookie driver, as part of their junior program. The 21-year-old Danish driver has been with Mercedes since 2021 and had his first taste of F1 at the post-season test in Abu Dhabi last year. He had a successful run in F1’s feeder categories, winning the Formula Regional European Championship in 2019 and finishing fourth overall in two consecutive F3 seasons before moving up to F2. This season, he has been competing strongly for the championship, although his chances have been affected by two DNFs in the last three races.
