Mercedes F1 junior driver Frederik Vesti is set to make his Formula E debut with the Mahindra Racing team at the upcoming Berlin rookie test.
Mercedes Formula 1 reserve driver Frederik Vesti will get his first drive in Formula E machinery with Mahindra as he is scheduled to take part in the Berlin rookie test next month.
The Danish driver, who finished second in the F2 standings with Prema last season, recently participated in the European Le Mans Series alongside his commitments with Mercedes’ simulator program.
The 22-year-old will take part in a full day of rookie running for Mahindra following the Berlin E-Prix doubleheader at the Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit on May 13.
“First of all, I’d like to say a big thank you to Fred for giving me this opportunity,” said Vesti. “It’s a great chance to test, and to prove myself as a rookie in a new championship.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to learn, which is only going to help me grow as a driver. It’s what motivates me, I’m really looking forward to trying the GEN3 Formula E car, which I understand is quite a challenge.
“That’s probably what I like most about Formula E, it is challenging and the fact it’s a competitive world championship that attracts some of the best drivers – and teams – is a great platform for me.
“I’ve finished up my preparations together with the team, so now I’m counting down the days until Berlin!”
Vesti, who is scheduled to race in the European Le Mans series this season in the LMP2 class with Cool Racing after winning the fiercely contested Formula Regional European Championship in 2019, has already visited Mahindra Racing’s headquarters in Banbury, UK, to get ready for the test.
“We’re delighted to welcome Frederik to the team for the Berlin Rookie Test,” said Mahindra team principal Fred Bertrand. “This event is important for the team, in order to continue our testing programme and development work.
“But there is an equal focus on giving new talent the opportunity to experience the world of Formula E. He’s young, enthusiastic, and very quick – all the right traits for us to give him a chance in the car. His record in the junior categories speaks for itself.
“I’m confident that, with a driver of Frederik’s abilities and experience, and together with Kush, we will be able to have a productive test and keep the team moving forward from there.”
Vesti will be joined by Indian driver Kush Maini during the test, with the current F2 driver and Alpine F1 Academy member also Mahindra’s reserve driver but yet to sample the Gen3 machine.
The two drivers are now part of a growing number of participants in the rookie test as Nissan also confirmed its lineup of drivers on Tuesday. Current F3 driver Gabriele Mini will accompany Indy NXT racer Caio Collet, who participated in the Misano rookie session with the Japanese manufacturer earlier this month.
F1 Academy champion Marta Garcia will also be running a Formula E car for the first time during the test with ERT after joining the team last weekend in Monaco. Tim Tramnitz will continue testing for the Abt Cupra squad, while Andretti will run current F2 championship leader Zane Maloney and Jak Crawford.
On the other hand, Porsche has announced that current DTM champion Thomas Preining and F2 race winner Dennis Hauger will line up for the German manufacturer in the test.
More driver announcements for the rookie test lineup in Berlin will be coming later this week.
