This weekend at the Mexican Grand Prix, George Russell will sit out for Free Practice One (FP1) on Friday, stepping aside from the cockpit of his W17.
Instead of Russell driving, it will be Frederik Vesti behind the wheel for the third time in an FP1 session during the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship season.
It is not unusual for a reserve driver to participate in such sessions, as under strict F1 regulations, teams are mandated to enter a rookie driver in four FP1 sessions over the course of a single campaign.
Vesti has already completed two FP1 appearances this year by replacing Kimi Antonelli in Barcelona and Hungary, but this weekend marks his very first time stepping into Russell's side of the garage in 2026.
This arrangement means Vesti will still need to appear in one further FP1 session in the British drivers' cars later in the year to fully meet the strict quota set by the sport's governing body.
Simone Resta, Mercedes deputy technical director, explained the importance of the run. This weekend, Fred will contribute to their development by sitting in George's car for FP1, which Resta highlights as an ideal bridge between track performance and the virtual world.
Expressing his excitement, Vesti thanked George for letting him drive and the team for the opportunity, noting that a lot has changed on the car since his last outing in Budapest and he cannot wait to feel the W17 once again.
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