Vesti in FIA F3 with ART 2021
A new season is on its way for 19-year-old Frederik Vesti. However, the series will not be new. Vesti immediately decided upon the 2020 season ending in the FIA F3 in September to continue racing one more year in the highly competitive series.
"It was tempting to move up directly into F2. I had the opportunity and my results especially at the end of the season last year made many people think it would be the obvious choice. However, my manager and F1 advisor turned out to be in total agreement, so the decision was not difficult for me. Entering F2 I have to be 100% ready. In F2 you don't get second chances if you are betting on F1 which is my goal. In F2 there is no room for the big mistakes. I still have a lot to learn in F3. I only want to move on when I am max. prepared. This has to be done exactly right.
"
As something new, in 2021 Vesti is teaming up with the French ART team. A tough competitor to his previous Prema team, which over the past two years has propelled Vesti forward in the most amazing way. ART is known to have had the biggest F1 stars honing their skills with them and making their final preparations before getting into F1.
"I am changing to ART, to evolve further as a driver and learn to work within a new environment. I’m convinced that will take me one step closer to my goal, which is to reach Formula 1.
"
"ART has shown me what they are capable of achieving with the right teamwork. The collaboration between ART, Mercedes and me, is the beginning of an incredibly exiting journey for me. I am looking forward to 2021, where I will really be tested beyond anything that I have tried before and on so many levels. I am 100 percent ready for the start of the season and to meet all the new challenges!
"
"The thing I find most interesting about ART, is their incredible success with young drivers. ART is a tough team in the most positive sense, and they focus a lot on data and my development as a driver. I look forward to starting the teamwork and learn from my new engineer who I trust will take me to my limit. It takes a lot from me as a person but also as a driver working with new people, because the learning curve is very steep. I can’t wait to do the first official test with ART.
"
"Many thanks to team owner Fred Vasseur and my Team Manager Sébastien Philippe for deciding for me as a new team member and believing in my skills as a driver. And many thanks to Prema for taking me to where I’m today.
"
The brand new announcement of the collaboration with 7-time world champion Mercedes was also crucial for Vesti's choice. Mercedes traditionally sends their young drivers to ART, including most recently George Russell.
“F1 teams look a lot at one's readiness for change. The best drivers have this ability to adapt to a new situation and to be challenged by new eyes. It is always a big challenge joining a new team, but I will continue to build on the great many skills and lessons learned from my invaluable time with Prema. However, with a different approach from a new team, I think this will be highly beneficial to my growth and continued development as a driver”, says Vesti.
The team manager for ART has the following to say about Vesti:
"We know Frederik very well, since he was one of our most formidable opponents last season in Formula 3. He lacked a bit of success to secure the crown and we were eager to start our collaboration with him, in Barcelona during the offseason testing. He merged into the ART Grand Prix mold and immediately met our expectations in terms of technical feedback, reliability and speed. With Frederik, ART Grand Prix will try to win back the FIA F3 title.
"
The first official test of the year will be on February 25. On May 8, the field will be released for the very first time on the F1 track Catalunya outside Barcelona.
