ART Grand Prix promote Vesti to F2 for 2022

ART Grand Prix have announced the promotion of Frederik Vesti into Formula 2 for 2022, following a successful season with the Mercedes junior in Formula 3 last season.

After switching from PREMA Racing to ART Grand Prix for his second season of F3, Vesti rewarded the team with five podiums, including one win, as he ended the year fourth in the Drivers’ Championship.

The 20-year-old ran F2 machinery for the first time at the end of season tests in Abu Dhabi, finishing the afternoon of Day 1 in the top 10. He’ll be joined at ART by second-year Theo Pourchaire.

“To sign my FIA Formula 2 contract with ART Grand Prix is a big thing for me,” said Vesti. “We worked incredibly hard in F3 last season and to continue the progress into Formula 2 together is important for my next step.

“Now it is crucial to understand all the small details of Formula 2 to achieve the maximum in 2022. Testing in Abu Dhabi went really well, and I learned a lot of new things. I can’t wait to be in the car for the first test in Bahrain! I want to thank ART Grand Prix for this great opportunity and for believing in me.”

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Making his single-seater debut in Formula Ford Denmark in 2016, Vesti finished as Danish F4 vice-champion the following season.

After winning the Formula Regional European title in 2019 with a remarkable 20 podiums from 24 races, including 13 wins, Vesti then stepped up to F3 with PREMA. Ending his rookie year in fourth, Vesti had taken three wins and one further podium.

ART Grand Prix Team Principal Sébastien Philippe added: “The first year of the partnership was fruitful for both sides with several podiums and a win that saw Fred end the year in 4th place with a total of 17 top 10s in 20 races. Some details kept him from fighting for the title, but we know he has what it takes to do so.

“After two years of F3, the logical continuation of our collaboration goes through F2. The offseason testing has met our expectations and in 2022 we will aim to fight at the forefront.”