0
Pascal Wehrlein has admitted that Mercedes didn't sign him as Nico Rosberg's replacement due to the protection of his career in the long run.
Wehrlein was a prime candidate for Mercedes when Nico Rosberg announced his retirement, as the 22-year-old is a Mercedes junior driver. However, he missed out on the seat to former Williams driver Valtteri Bottas.
The German also revealed that he wasn't too disappointed to miss out on a top team seat, as his 'Plan A' had already followed through.
"Toto told me he didn't want to burn me," Wehrlein told Germany's Sport Bild. "He said they still believe in me and that I should instead build myself up in peace. Of course I hoped for a change to the world champion team, but when Mercedes went for Bottas, I wasn't too disappointed. Why? Because my original 'plan A' was still fulfilled," he said.
'Plan A' refers to signing with Sauber, who Wehrlein will race with for this season. However, with Manor disappearing from the F1 grid, it looks like Wehrlein could again be racing for a backmarker team. Despite this, he remains positive and optimistic about the season ahead.
"Sauber is at the beginning of an era," he said. "There is enormous potential in the team and I am proud to be a part of this building back up. We have a highly professional, international team. But we will have to have a little patience."
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
United Arab Emirates
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
134,231 comments on Sauber
2 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Valtteri Bottas
613,709 comments on Mercedes 57 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Mercedes
Replies (0)
Login to reply