Dave Ryan defends Pascal Wehrlein

Manor Formula One team racing director Dave Ryan believes that many people have the wrong impression of Pascal Wehrlein.

Wehrlein looks as though he will miss out on the opportunity to sign a contract for Mercedes which would see him race for them next season. Many people have suggested that this is because he is immature and difficult to work with.

However, Ryan has defended the German stating that he is a huge talent and doesn't understand why people have the wrong opinion of him.

"Pascal is a huge talent, there's no doubt about it, and he's a lovely kid," Ryan told Autosport at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

"Some people have an opinion of Pascal and it's just wrong. The guy is just completely honest, he tries really hard and he's incredibly talented."

"I don't understand it," Ryan continued. "People say he's arrogant. Well I've never seen a hint of that, ever. Everyone who's ever got to interview him comes away saying 'what a lovely lad' and he is."

"He's got that fantastic sort of mischievous smile, he's helpful, he's positive, so I think it's one of those deals where someone's said something along the way somewhere and everyone's picked up on it and it's wrong."

"He's absolutely top drawer. No question about it. He's great racecar driver with great racecraft, great awareness of what's going on around him so we're really, really pleased about him."