Although Frederik Vesti didn’t end his second season of Formula 3 with the title, he did finish as the driver most consistently in the points, but the Dane says he’ll need to take more risks and win more silverware if he’s to take his career to the next level in Formula 2.

Missing out on the points just three times throughout the season, Vesti developed into the most reliable driver on the F3 grid with ART Grand Prix in 2021, yet he ended the year in fourth with one more podium than in 2020 but two fewer wins.

“The main focus during the season was to score points, but sometimes, you need to let that go and free yourself,” Vesti said. “That's something that I maybe need to change a little bit for the 2022 season.

“I don't need to change it that much because it’s a good thing to be the driver most consistently in the points, but it is really important to win, to score podiums, and to score maximum points. You always look back and think that you could have done things differently, but overall, I am pretty pleased with how last season went.

“ART are a top team to work with and we had some real success together last year. We did have some dips, especially during the middle of the season where we found it harder to perform, but we will use this to help us learn.”

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Vesti failed to score points just three times last season in F3
Vesti failed to score points just three times last season in F3

Despite his frustration at missing out on the F3 title, Vesti still did more than enough to convince ART to promote him into Formula 2.

He’ll be joined at ART by his 2020 F3 title rival, Théo Pourchaire, as the French team look to return to the top of the table after two years of missing out on the top three in both the Teams’ and Drivers’ Championships.

However, Vesti says that he won’t be setting any personal targets ahead of the season, at least not in terms of positions.

“The biggest aim is to progress as a driver and as a team,” he continued. “It is impossible to set race goals because I’ve only done three days of testing and that was all about getting used to the F2 car and the tyres.

“I had one incident and the team had a few problems with the car that meant we didn't run as much as we would have liked, but we still worked really well as a team, along with my teammate Théo (Pourchaire). Together, we found some really good things.

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Vesti finished fourth in F3 last season
Vesti finished fourth in F3 last season

“And now we've got the pre-season tests coming up and that will really help. I know the track at Bahrain, so I will be able to focus on my driving much more. That will be a big help. I am really excited to get going.”

As well as spending a second season with ART Grand Prix, the 20-year-old will also be heading into his second year as a Mercedes junior driver, having been signed by the academy ahead of the 2021 season.

“I think what Mercedes do really well is that they see me for the driver that I am,” he continued. “They see my potential, if we work together and if I get the opportunities that I need at the right time.

“I am really pleased to be a part of the Mercedes Junior Team. It is a step-by-step process that we are working on together. They help with everything, from physical training and mental training to actually working with the team.

“I’ll also get some time in the F1 sim at Mercedes too, which is good for me as a driver - to learn from the F1 engineers is a gift. Mercedes give me a really strong foundation to work with.”