Vesti urges F1 teams to trust rookies more

Before the 1 November Mexico City Grand Prix, Mercedes reserve driver Fred Vesti urged Formula 1 team principals to trust rookies more, pointing to Kimi Antonelli, whom he said had a chance to become world champion that weekend.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Vesti said the 20-year-old was showing what young drivers could do. He acknowledged the grid already had plenty of experience, then summed up his appeal: “I think we need to trust the rookies more.”

Vesti joined Mercedes’ development programme in 2021 and has made several FP1 appearances for the team. At the Mexico City Grand Prix, he stood in for George Russell in first practice.