Ludo van Denderen is a motorsport journalist at GPblog, specializing in Formula 1 and international racing series.
While Cadillac is helping Colton Herta obtain a superlicence, making him the leading candidate to replace Valtteri Bottas, there is someone else who deserves the seat currently held by the Finn, and perhaps even more so. Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti showed in Mexico that he deserves a chance.
Like any true Scandinavian, Frederik Vesti is not someone who makes a fuss with spectacular statements. The friendly Dane usually stays in the background. There is a good chance fans would not even recognise him in the paddock.
On Friday, Vesti briefly stepped out of relative anonymity during the first practice session in Mexico. He clocked the third-fastest time, just a tenth behind future world champion and teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, surprising some F1 followers - but not Mercedes.
The German team has known for years that Vesti is the real deal: a driver capable of racing exceptionally hard. The 24-year-old showed that time and again during his time as a Formula 2 driver. So far, Vesti has simply had the misfortune of being behind two equally fast drivers in the pecking order: George Russell and super-talent Antonelli.
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Vesti as an alternative to Herta
Photo: Race Pictures
Mercedes does not have a junior team, so there is no opportunity for Vesti to continue developing elsewhere within the organisation. Cadillac could offer a solution. The American team is seriously considering dropping Valtteri Bottas, with Colton Herta the leading candidate to replace him and Vesti an alternative.
Of course, having an American in an American team is a dream scenario for sponsors and public relations. But Herta has not made a particularly strong impression in Formula 2 this season. Is the former IndyCar driver really the right man to earn a promotion to F1?
Looking purely at sporting merit, Vesti is currently further along in his development than Herta, and the Dane deserves a chance in Formula 1. Moreover, Vesti has spent years learning the ropes at Mercedes, gaining a wealth of technical knowledge - something that could prove very useful for a team in the early stages of its development, such as Cadillac. Another advantage: Vesti races for Cadillac in IMSA, so he already knows the manufacturer well.
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GPblog understands that Vesti is not the first choice if Bottas is replaced. But after his outstanding performance in practice in Mexico, the least the Dane deserves is to be given serious consideration.
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