Dave Ryan defends Pascal Wehrlein

  • Published on 21 Dec 2016 14:29
  • comments 4
  • By: Fergal Walsh

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."

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • JCR

    Posts: 3

    So why was Estaban Ocon chosen over him? If Red Bull could start Max why does Mercedes not try Pascal instead of jumping through hoops to get Bottas?

    • + 0
    • Dec 21 2016 - 15:57
    • Im not sure as to why Ocon was chosen over Wehrlein, but I think Mercedes want a more safe card in their team as of now. But I think they'll stick with Wehrlein if they cannot get Bottas.

      • + 0
      • Dec 21 2016 - 17:40
    • dr002

      Posts: 141

      Bottas to Mercedes only makes sense if Mercedes wants him as their driver for the long term, and given his performance this year, to my way of thinking, that makes no sense.

      • + 0
      • Dec 22 2016 - 07:13
  • MB should sign him for heavens sake he'll be quicker than Bottas, and score consistently, if they don't sign him, they may as well dump their young driver programme. Haven't they learned from RB and what they did to promote Max.

    • + 0
    • Dec 22 2016 - 12:37

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country DE
  • Date of b. Oct 18 1994 (30)
  • Place of b. Sigmaringen, DE
  • Weight 61 kg
  • Length 1.77 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar