Fred Vesti fires up Singapore's Orchard Road with Mercedes W04 street demo run

Mercedes F1 reserve driver Fred Vesti took the W04 through Singapore’s Orchard Road on Sunday 30 August, completing three live demonstration runs in the city’s first F1 street event in more than a decade.

The runs formed the centrepiece of the adidas Orchard Ignition festival, staged in partnership with Mercedes-AMG and adidas. Footage of Vesti performing doughnuts in the V8-powered car quickly spread across social media, accumulating more than 136,000 views shortly after being posted.

Fan reaction was enthusiastic. “Can’t imagine the atmosphere and adrenaline rush being this close to an F1 car!” one viewer wrote beneath the video. Others were equally taken by the soundtrack: “Man, those V8 beasts are meant to be let loose!” and “Wonder how many phones came out the second that V8 fired up.”

Vesti, who serves as Mercedes’ reserve driver, said ahead of the event that the occasion carried particular meaning. “Driving a Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team car through the heart of Orchard Road is going to be a special experience,” the Danish driver said. “Demonstration runs are all about bringing fans closer to the sport and giving them a taste of the speed, sound and excitement that make F1 unique.”

He also acknowledged the rarity of the moment for Singapore. “To be part of the city’s first street demo run in more than a decade is something I’m really looking forward to,” Vesti added. “Our sport is at its best when it connects with people, and this event does that in a really exciting way.”

Vesti framed the weekend as a broader cultural moment, noting it brought together fans of racing, music and culture. “It’s a chance to create a memorable experience for fans and introduce new audiences to our sport,” he said.