Wehrlein Eyeing DTM Return in 2018

Ousted F1 driver Pascal Wehrlein is considering a return to DTM with Mercedes for the 2018 season. The German and former F3 champion Dani Juncadella are the main protagonists for the role. Juncadella has tested for Williams and Force India in the past. Plan B for Wehrlein is securing a third driver role in Formula 1 instead. Wehrlein is seatless in Formula 1 next season as Sauber opted to keep Marcus Ericsson and partner him with Ferrari’s rookie Charles Leclerc.

Wehrlein is still a Mercedes affiliated driver, but the Silver Arrows were reluctant to promote him. They feel that the German is still rough around the edges. Another option for him is Williams, but that is also out of the window. The Williams Martini team is set to choose between Sergey Sirotkin, Daniil Kvyat and Robert Kubica in January.

If Wehrlein returned to DTM with Mercedes, he finds himself in a conundrum. The Silver Arrows are leaving the sport altogether at the end of the 2018 season in preparation for their move into Formula E. It would mean that Pascal would have to pick up his resume and hunt for a drive elsewhere. Wehrlein spent three years in DTM before graduating to Formula 1 with Manor Racing, winning the title with Mercedes in 2015. The 24-year old is the youngest ever DTM Champion.

Even if Mercedes moves to Formula E, Pascal is not entirely taken over by the electric racing series. He said, “I like noise, performance and fuel. I cannot even imagine racing in Formula E.” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said, “There are many movements on the market,” Wolff said. “In the next two weeks, a few interesting things could happen”. What does the future hold for Pascal Wehrlein? Will he go back to DTM? Will he ever return to F1?