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 regulations, all teams in Formula 1 are required to field a rookie driver for at least two races during the season. Many teams have chosen to wait until the final race in Abu Dhabi to fulfill this requirement. Mercedes is one of the teams that will have a rookie driver participate, as a member of their junior program will take to the track on Friday. This 21-year-old Danish driver has been part of the Mercedes junior team since 2021 and had his first proper F1 experience during last year’s post-season test in Abu Dhabi. He has competed in F1’s feeder categories in recent years and had an impressive performance in the Formula Regional European Championship in 2019. After two successful seasons in F3, he moved up to F2 and had a relatively solid rookie season. This year, he has been in contention for the title but suffered setbacks in the last few races.
