22-year-old driver Toto Wolff loves admits he wants to be on the Formula 1 grid now

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Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti has admitted that it’s frustrating that he’s not racing in Formula 1 yet.

After finishing runner-up to Theo Pourchaire in Formula 2 last year, the 22-year-old Dane is now preparing for life outside the Formula pyramid since starting single-seater racing.

Speaking on The Fast And The Curious Podcast, Frederik Vesti discussed his future and the next steps he’s taking.

Vesti admits lack of opportunities in Formula 1 is frustrating

The Formula 1 grid is going to look very familiar at the beginning of 2024.

For the first time in the sport’s history, not a single driver has changed teams over the winter break.

We already know that won’t be the case for 2025, with Lewis Hamilton already confirmed to be replacing Carlos Sainz at Ferrari.

However, the lack of rookies on the grid has been criticised and the prospect of young drivers earning an opportunity has been made more difficult by F1 rejecting Andretti’s proposal which would have added two more potential seats.

Frederik Vesti is near the top of the list of drivers who are aiming to make their mark in Formula 1 which makes his position all the more frustrating.

Toto Wolff is a big fan of the reserve driver, once saying: “Another very good one, he’s doing everything that needs to be done.

“Frederik merits to be in an F1 car if he wins the F2 championship – then you can say that. Let’s see where that leads him, but he’s done a very good job.”

After impressing in Formula 3 and Formula 2, Vesti now has to look elsewhere for opportunities and hope with a seat becoming available at Mercedes in 2025 that he might be given his chance.

Vesti joins the long list of drivers hoping to replace Hamilton

Speaking about his wait to join the F1 grid, Vesti said: “It’s kind of frustrating sometimes because it’s out of my control. The good thing about racing is that you can control your results, the effort you put in more comes back in results.

“But being not racing within the Formula 1 world can be a different role.

“So, from my side, it’s really about continuing to work really hard with the team, stay focused on my objectives this year and just continue to improve and prove to the Formula 1 world that I’m ready to get a seat.”

Vesti will face competition from the likes of Mick Schumacher and Andrea Kimi Antonelli from within the team to replace Hamilton, while Esteban Ocon and Carlos Sainz could also be considered.

It would be frustrating for Vesti to see Antonelli leapfrog him for a chance to drive in Formula 1, but if he goes one better and wins the F2 title this year then he can’t really complain.

Vesti will be racing in the European Le Mans Series in the LMP2 class this year alongside his reserve driver duties and he’ll need to really stand out to stay on the radar of other F1 teams.