Frederik Vesti looking to bounce back in Budapest after a tough weekend at Silverstone

After some sensational performances, Frederik Vesti is on top of the F2 standings ahead of Frenchman Theo Pourchaire.

With only five rounds now remaining of the 2023 F2 season, the competition is starting to heat up. Teams and drivers are looking to gain as many points as possible in the final stint of the season. Only a six-point gap separates Frederik Vesti and Theo Pourchaire in the standings. Silverstone ended in disappointment for the championship leader Vesti whose race ended early due to suspension damage. The damage was picked up after Vesti’s PREMA ran into the back of Roman Stanek during the safety car period. This opened the door for Pourchaire – who finished third – to close the gap between himself and Vesti.

Vesti has become a strong contender for the championship trophy this year after the exceptional performances he has put on throughout the season.

The year started off well after his spectacular performance at the Jeddah circuit back in March, he earned his first win of the year. The luck has stuck with him since, ending on a further two podiums and earning three more wins.

Pourchaire, who had a disappointing start to the season has pulled himself back up to the front of the standings with 129 points so far.

Heading into the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend

F1 and its feeder series’ head to Budapest this weekend and after the British Grand Prix, Vesti will be making sure to bring his A-game to the Hungaroring.

Speaking to accredited media, including FormulaNerds, Vesti expressed his thoughts on how he’s feeling ahead of the weekend: “I don’t really feel added pressure, I feel really good, I feel like we are in a really good place.

“Obviously, Silverstone wasn’t the end of the weekend we hoped. From our side it’s just to continue doing well, I know I need to do well to get points.

“I said earlier in the year we know what I need to do well to have a good weekend. In order to get that good weekend we need to maximise those points and that starts with free practice tomorrow.”

Working with Mercedes

As well as fighting for the championship in F2, Vesti also has duties as a Mercedes Junior Driver. Whilst looking ahead to the weekend Vesti touched upon his work with Mercedes and how he balances it whilst keeping up with F2: “After I moved to the UK last year, I was very busy, I spent 45 days on the sim and this year has been equally as active with Mercedes.

“When I am not racing with F2, I do sim work and use the gym there a lot. The better I do the more opportunities I get, and that also means that F2 is mainly my priority.

“I have started to relax on the sim days I have and focused more on F2. When we get to Monza I am sure I will be doing much more sim work.”

The title fight is nowhere near over yet for F2 and with five remaining races this year, it is still all to play for.

Featured image credits: Joe Portlock via Getty Images