Mercedes F1 driver eyeing up Cadillac switch amid Valtteri Bottas uncertainty

Mercedes F1 reserve driver Fred Vesti has thrown his name in the mix for a promotion to a full-time seat with Cadillac next year.

The Danish driver has been part of the Mercedes set-up for some time, joining the development programme in 2021 as he navigated his junior career.

Vesti has had several FP1 outings with Mercedes over the last handful of years, including at this weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix, where he sat in for George Russell.

However, he also has an existing relationship with Cadillac, as he races for the manufacturer in the IMSA Sportscar series in the United States, taking three wins across the last two seasons.

Vesti is keen to take the next step with the American outfit and step into an F1 seat for 2027.

"I'm hugely privileged to be working with two awesome manufacturers, Mercedes and Cadillac," Vesti told Sky Sports F1.

"Obviously, racing with them in sports cars, they've had the chance for two years to see what I can do. This year, we were drivers' champions, team champions, manufacturers' champion in IMSA, and that really shows the level we're operating at.

"But to have two manufacturers working together like that for a driver is very, very special and very rare.

"And there's no doubt, I have all my eyes on that seat, and it would be such a privilege to step into that."

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Vesti urges F1 teams to trust rookies

While Cadillac has confirmed Perez's place within the team until at least the end of 2027, the situation of his team-mate, Valtteri Bottas, is less certain.

Also linked with a promotion to the drive is Colton Herta, who is pushing hard to secure a super licence that will allow him to race in F1.

Vesti highlighted that more F1 teams should give rookies a chance, pointing to the success that Kimi Antonelli has enjoyed so early in his career.

"There is one thing I would say: look at Kimi. He has a chance of being world champion this weekend," Vesti said.

"He's 20 years old; he's a young guy showing F1 what the young drivers can do. And I think that should be also a pointer for the team principals to trust the young talent.

"There is plenty of experience on the grid. I think we need to trust the rookies more."