With Manor Racing MRT successfully progressing during the 2016 Formula 1 season, Pascal Wehrlein says he would be happy to stay with the team for 2017.
In his début F1 season, the Mercedes protégé has impressed, after scoring a crucial point for Manor at the Austrian Grand Prix, when he finished in tenth. Manor have expressed their feelings about keeping both Wehrlein and current team-mate Esteban Ocon for 2017.
Racing director Dave Ryan labeled them as “a good match” and they represent the ideal pairing. Wehrlein trusts Mercedes to ensure he is on the grid for next season but where that is, is currently unclear. With Nico Hulkenberg switching to Renault Sport Formula 1 Team this opens up a space at Sahara Force India F1 Team.
Wehrlein would be happy to stay with the Banbury based outfit, as he feels the team has made big progress since last year.
“Of course the target is to arrive in the best position possible,” said Wehrlein. “But let’s see what happens next year.
“I would be happy to stay here. The team has made big progress since last year and also this year since the first race, which I am really happy about. I think for next year there is another possibility to make a big step and it would be a nice story to [stay with] Manor.”
Wehrlein adds that he is involved in development for next season, but currently knows zero about their plans for their driver line-up.
“It is hard to say they had worst car, but on average this year it was like that,” added Wehrlein. “But we took the opportunities when they were there.
“Last year the gap to the second-last team was two seconds. It is not the same team any more. I am involved in the things that will happen next year and the development. [But] I don’t know at the moment – truly I know zero about next year.”
