Wehrlein confirms Manor race seat for 2016

Pascal Wehrlein has confirmed reports he will make his F1 debut with Manor in 2016. Earlier, the major German newspaper Bild reported that the deal between the Mercedes junior and the newly Mercedes-powered backmarker team is now done.

The 21-year-old German, Mercedes reserve and reigning DTM champion confirmed to Sport Bild: "Toto Wolff has helped me a lot, for which I am very, very grateful. A dream has now been fulfilled. Ever since attending my first grand prix at the age of six, I wanted to become a formula one driver," Wehrlein added.

The report tipped Wehrlein to choose 94 as his permanent F1 race number -- the year of his birth, and the number he carried to his DTM triumph in 2015. (GMM)