Russell to Miss FP1 in Mexico; Mercedes Confirms Vesti as Replacement

George Russell will sit out the first practice session of the Mexican Grand Prix, with Mercedes confirming reserve driver Frederik Vesti will take his place. This move allows Vesti valuable track time in the W16, following his earlier outing in Bahrain this year. Vesti has been active in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and simulator work, preparing him for this F1 opportunity. Russell will return for FP2. Notably, Lewis Hamilton will also be benched for FP1, with Ferrari's Antonio Fuoco stepping in, highlighting a broader trend of teams utilizing young drivers or reserves for practice sessions.

Why it matters:

This driver change underscores the increasing importance of giving reserve and junior drivers real-world F1 experience. For Mercedes, it's an opportunity to evaluate Frederik Vesti's progress in a competitive environment while fulfilling mandatory young driver practice requirements. For Vesti, it's a critical step in his career, offering a chance to impress the team and gain invaluable data for both himself and the simulator team. Such opportunities are pivotal for developing future F1 talent and ensuring a robust pipeline for the sport.

The Details:

• Frederik Vesti's Opportunity: Vesti, a Mercedes reserve driver, will get behind the wheel of the W16 for FP1 in Mexico. This marks his second official F1 practice session, having previously driven in Bahrain earlier this year.
• Russell's Absence: George Russell will return to the cockpit for the second practice session, making his FP1 absence a strategic move rather than a forced one.
• Vesti's Preparation: The Danish driver has been actively involved in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the GTP category with Whelen Cadillac Racing team in 2025, alongside his Mercedes duties. He has also conducted extensive simulator work.
  • Vesti commented, "I have done a lot of work in the simulator these past few months and it is a huge privilege to put this into action on track. This new opportunity will give me more experience as a driver but will also enable me to bring new input to the simulator team back in Brackley."
• Physical Conditioning: Vesti emphasized his preparation, stating, "My endurance racing this year has helped me stay sharp and prepare to jump back into the F1 car, and I have been working on my neck for Mexico as we know Formula 1 does not spare the body!"
• Hamilton's Parallel Situation: In a similar move, Lewis Hamilton will also miss FP1 in Mexico, with Ferrari confirming Antonio Fuoco, a Ferrari Driver Academy member and WEC lineup driver, will take his place in the SF-25.

The Big Picture:

Teams are increasingly leveraging FP1 sessions to integrate young talent and reserve drivers, fulfilling regulatory requirements while also gathering crucial data and providing developmental opportunities. This strategy allows established drivers a slight break while fostering the growth of the next generation of F1 stars. It also demonstrates the sophisticated operational planning involved in modern F1 teams, balancing competitive performance with long-term talent development.

What's next:

This weekend in Mexico marks a return to Formula 1's usual weekend schedule after the sprint format used in Austin, which means teams will have more traditional practice time for these strategic substitutions. Fans will be keenly watching Vesti's performance, as well as Fuoco's, to gauge their potential and how these young drivers adapt to the demands of an F1 car during an official session. Their feedback will be vital for their respective teams' ongoing development programs.