If you’ve been wondering who’s stepping up as Mercedes reserve driver for the 2026 Formula 1 season, the wait is over. Frederik Vesti, the Danish talent who’s been turning heads in the Silver Arrows’ setup, has been confirmed to take on the role full-time.
With Valtteri Bottas heading to Cadillac’s new grid entry, Vesti steps into the spotlight, ready to support race drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli while chasing his own F1 dreams.
Who Is Mercedes Reserve Driver For 2026?
Frederik Vesti’s journey to this point has been nothing short of impressive. He joined the Mercedes Junior Programme back in 2021 after dominating in junior categories. His big break came with runner-up finishes in the 2023 Formula 2 Championship, earning him the reserve spot in 2024 alongside Bottas.
Fast forward to 2025, and Vesti has been splitting duties between F1 reserve work and racing in the IMSA SportsCar Championship for Cadillac Whelen. He’s already logged crucial miles in FP1 sessions, like Bahrain and Mexico City this year, proving he can handle the pressure of a top team.
What Makes Frederik Vesti A Perfect Fit?
He speaks confidently about his potential, saying, “I know what I can achieve.” His days involve intense simulator work at Mercedes’ Brackley base, often starting at 8 AM and running late into the night. Those long hours pay off when setup changes lead to real track gains, earning nods from the engineering army. Frederik Vesti highlights the shift from small F2 teams, where it’s just a handful of people, to F1’s massive operation of 50-plus engineers. “You need to ask the right questions to the right people,” he notes, a skill he’s honed over years in the role.
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Looking ahead, Frederik Vesti balances reserve life with IMSA racing, but his focus stays on F1. With Russell and Antonelli locked in as the 2026 duo, Vesti becomes the go-to backup, attending most Grands Prix and ready for any call-up. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff values his growth, and Vesti’s own words sum it up: hard work in the sim translates to track rewards. As the grid shakes up with Cadillac’s arrival and Bottas’ exit, Vesti stands tall as the Silver Arrows’ reliable shadow driver.
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