Toto Wolff raves about ‘really good’ 21-year-old who can’t get on the Formula 1 grid

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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has said it’s unfortunate that more young drivers can’t get into Formula 1 after Frederik Vesti took part in Free Practice 1 in Abu Dhabi.

Wolff was speaking on Sky Sports F1 after a rather unique practice session on the Yas Marina circuit.

Every driver is obliged to give up their seat to an inexperienced driver at some point each season.

It just so happens that nearly every team chose to run one of their rookies in the first practice session in Abu Dhabi.

There isn’t typically a lot that can be learnt about the car during this hour of running as the track temperature is so different to when the cars will be running in qualifying and the race.

However, it still gave 10 rookies the opportunity to showcase their talents with Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich claiming the bragging rights for the quickest new driver on track.

Mercedes gave Frederik Vesti the opportunity to run in Lewis Hamilton’s car and Toto Wolff was impressed with the 21-year-old.

He ran in George Russell’s car in Mexico City and is competing to claim the Formula 2 title this weekend as well.

The chances of him getting onto the F1 grid in the near future look unlikely due to the lack of opportunities.

However, there is still one spot on the grid that’s unconfirmed for 2024 and it would involve Vesti following in the footsteps of a certain George Russell.

Wolff pleased with Mercedes young driver Vesti

Asked about the Danish rookie, Wolff said: “Frederik [Vesti] is great, you know he’s had a very good season and he’s reliable.

“We had him in the simulator, he does a really good job, he’s done what we have asked him in those free practice sessions, he’s a really good guy.

“Yeah, it’s unfortunate when you look at some of the guys that drove now in FP1, there’s a few of them that would deserve to be in a Formula 1 car and at the moment there’s a bit of a blockage.”

Wolff will also know that Vesti isn’t the first driver in line to jump into Formula 1 from the Mercedes team if a spot did open up at Williams where Logan Sargeant is still waiting for his 2024 plans to be confirmed.

Mick Schumacher was their reserve driver this year and has two seasons of experience in F1 under his belt.

He’ll be joining the World Endurance Championship next year, while there’s also a lot of hype around 17-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

All Vesti can do is compete at the highest level possible in whatever championship Mercedes place him in.

It wouldn’t make much sense for him to stay in Formula 2 even if he doesn’t win the title this season.

Jumping across to Super Formula, Formula E or even following Schumacher into WEC might be a better move at this stage of his career.