07/11/2016
NEWS STORY
Mercedes protege Pascal Wehrlein says he would be happy to stay with Manor for a second season.
While teammate Esteban Ocon is linked with a number of teams for 2017, including Renault and Force India, Wehrlein does not appear to be similarly in demand. Indeed, Force India has made it clear the German is not under consideration.
With his F1 options limited, it's good news therefore that the German youngster is happy to stay put for next season.
"Of course the target is to arrive in the best position possible, but let's see what happens next year," he said, according to Autosport.
"I would be happy to stay here," he continued. "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.
"It is hard to say they had worst car, but on average this year it was like that," he admitted. "But we took the opportunities when they were there and 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," he added. "But I don't know at the moment, truly I know zero about next year."
Since arriving at the team, Esteban Ocon has gradually established himself, and while the Frenchman appears to be the better prospect for rival teams, Wehrlein earned the point that may see Manor finish tenth in the standings ahead of Sauber, a result that would be worth tens of millions to the Banbury based outfit.
However, asked if he would prefer to develop as de facto team leader at Manor or join a bigger team as number two, the German dismissed the concept.
"There is never a 'number one' or a 'number two'," he said. "Both drivers have the same opportunity and one is taking the opportunity more than the other one. Yes, if you join a new team you are the new member and you have to prove yourself, that you can be the better one of the two drivers. But, as I said, I don't think there is a clear number one or a clear number two driver."