Pascal Wehrlein aims for a Mercedes seat for 2018

Pascal Wehrlein made the big leap from DTM to F1 for the 2016 season with the small British outfit Manor, powered by Mercedes. His presence was negotiated in exchange for a significant reduction in the price of the star firm’s power units. The transition was challenging for the reigning DTM champion, who went from fighting at the front to the back of the pack in F1.

« At first, it was a shock », he declares in the pages of Bild. « But you get used to it ».

« As a DTM champion, I was probably not prepared to reach no higher than 20th place ». he adds.

The 21-year-old German is aware that he will have to bide his time for another season if he wants the opportunity to eye a starting seat in the main team. “But I also know that Lewis and Nico’s contracts expire at the end of 2018. There is no plan, except to always perform well.”

« *If I can see further, a little later, for example, doing two years with Manor, it would be great because I have overcome a major challenge to help the team*. »

The performances are indeed good for the driver with the number 94, highlighted by a tenth place that earned points in Austria, and better performances than those of the two teammates he has faced so far. He is currently 17th in the driver standings, which is a brilliant performance for a Manor driver, even considering the team’s significant progress.

There is always the possibility for Wehrlein to move to another team powered by Mercedes, for example at Force India, but that will depend on Sergio Pérez’s decision to stay with the Indian structure. The opportunity to arrive at Williams seems even slimmer due to the lead taken by Lance Stroll. But at the moment, there is nothing to suggest that discussions have even taken place. If this opportunity were open to him, he would take it as an additional chance to prove himself. « Similarly, if I change to another team with the support of Mercedes where I could face a more experienced teammate and if I beat him, I would have a good chance of getting a Mercedes seat. » He insists.

Since the Belgian Grand Prix, his teammate Rio Haryanto has been replaced by Esteban Ocon, another Mercedes driver. The duel between the two future contenders for a Mercedes seat is being watched with interest as both drivers enjoy significant esteem in the paddock.

When asked if the situation at Manor resembles a shootout for a starting spot at Mercedes, the driver responds: “It’s not a direct shootout, because there are no spots available at Mercedes next year. But yes, I’m sure Mercedes wants to compare us directly. In direct comparison, Esteban doesn’t seem better than me to date, and he is generally very well rated. Which is of course good for me.”