Source:REUTERS/DARRON CUMMINGS
[Saba Sports News] After the Las Vegas Grand Prix,
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton secured the third place in the 2023 driver’s
championship ahead of schedule. In light of this, the Mercedes team announced
that they will fulfil the obligation of fielding a rookie driver in FP1 for the
final race of the season. Frederik Vesti will replace Hamilton and participate
in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix’s FP1 session. Previously, this 21-year-old driver
substituted for Mercedes’ other driver, George Russell, in the FP1 session of
the Mexico City Grand Prix. According to the F1 rookie program, rookie drivers
must complete two FP1 sessions within a season. In response, Vesti stated that
participating in the FP1 race in Abu Dhabi is an important step in his career
and he appreciates the opportunity given to him by the team. As Hamilton will
turn 39 next year and there is a possibility of his retirement at any time,
Vesti has become a key development target for the Mercedes team.