Frederik Vesti on Chasing His Formula 1 Dream — With IWC on His Wrist

24-year-old Frederik Vesti has his sights set on becoming Denmark’s next F1 driver. Having raced since the age of 10, Formula 1 has long been Vesti’s dream. He currently serves as Sim, Test and Third Driver with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. From winning championships in karting and Formula Regional to finishing runner-up in Formula 2, every step has brought him closer to the goal he has been working towards for most of his life.

With a disciplined approach to training and hours spent in the factory simulator, Vesti has learned the importance of staying calm under pressure while keeping his goals firmly in sight. Donning the new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team, the fourth Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One team watch on his wrist, GQ caught up with the Danish racing driver during a recent demonstration run on Singapore’s Orchard Road in the lead-up to the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix — taking place from October 9 to 11 — to discuss his love of watches, the demands of racing and his journey towards Formula 1.

The notion of precision is crucial in both Formula 1 and watchmaking. What does “precision” mean to you as a Formula 1 driver?

Being precise in everything we do, in setting up the car, but even more so in the way we drive. It’s how we make the difference as a driver. If we can be slightly better than our competition, we will be able to stand out in the races and in qualifying. In the end, that’s how you win the races. The definition of the greatest F1 drivers are how precise they are and how consistent they can deliver at that level. As a Formula 1 driver, we train that throughout our whole life to achieve that level.

What are three words that come to mind when you think of IWC?

Style, class and precision.

The new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team watch is designed to be robust enough for the demands of the paddock while still being versatile enough to wear away from the track. What makes a watch work for you both on and off the track?

I really like a quite classy watch that definitely stands out and isn’t something everyone is wearing. I think IWCs are very special and I love wearing my IWCs. I have the first PETRONAS team watch at home. I also have a more underplayed one, Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Mojave Desert. When I saw this one, I think everyone loves this one because it’s different.

It’s amazing. It was just launched a few days ago. Today is the first day I see it in real life and I’m blown away by how nice it is. Especially the dial, the way it reflects in the sun. It’s inspired by Singapore’s flowers.

You have quite a few races lined up this year. Is there something about Singapore that makes your racing experience here particularly unique?

The Singapore Grand Prix is obviously a night race. It has more than 20 corners. It’s extremely physical. Drivers will lose a lot of fluids throughout the race, up to 2-3 kilos. As drivers, we undergo a lot of training specifically for Singapore. We’ll be training in a sauna on a bike or running to be able to sustain this heat and humidity because the body is not used to it. To be pulling up to 5 G’s (G-forces) for around 2 hours around the Singapore Grand Prix… it’s a very, very difficult race. We need to be able to operate at the highest level to not make mistakes in the race.

When you say you chase specifically for Singapore, is it because Singapore is one of the most humid places?

Yes, I think it’s considered the hardest race on the F1 calendar from a driving perspective.

A lot of Formula 1 comes down to making decisions under immense pressure and with very little time to react. How do you stay calm under pressure?

It’s not easy. Sometimes it’s difficult to stay calm. I think racing drivers in general, including myself, on the racetrack, it’s fast, it’s chaotic, it looks very out of control. But in fact, we as racing drivers, we love control. We love the feeling of controlling the car and we are a lot more calm than it seems.

To be a professional racing driver, to be a Formula 1 driver, you need to be able to manage the pressure of Formula 1. It’s something you get used to and it’s something you’re born with. It’s part of life. The best drivers are the ones that can stay calm even when everything is going against them. That’s something we practise. Meditation is a good way to stay relaxed. I love to do ice baths before a session to really calm down.

It seems chaotic, but we are very calm. Even if you look very calm under the heat. I try to be.

Your career has seen some major milestones, from winning the Formula Regional European Championship in your rookie season to stepping up to Formula 2 and eventually driving the Mercedes-AMG W13 for the first time in Abu Dhabi. What are you hoping to achieve next?

I’m within touching distance of a Formula 1 seat right now. I’m the third driver with Formula 1’s most successful team ever. That’s a very big role.vThat’s a very big position to be in. However, my dream is Formula 1. It has been my dream since I was 8 years old. It’s in some ways very painful to be watching other drivers live my dream.

Equally, it’s what fuels my everyday drive towards a Formula 1 seat. I have a big team. I have a great team behind me. Together, I truly believe there is a spot for me in Formula 1.