20-year-old German driver Pascal Wehrlein is favourite to secure a race seat at Manor for the 2016 Formula 1 season.
The speculation arose after the new engine deal between Mercedes and British backmarker Manor was officially announced earlier last week, with the 20-year-old Mercedes reserve driver currently competing in DTM for Mercedes.
“Pascal is currently the leader in DTM,” said Mercedes chief Toto Wolff when speaking to German newspaper Auto Bild.
“He has the makings of a formula one driver,” Wolff continued, “so we would wish to accommodate him. First there would have to be a place for him.”
With Mercedes drivers Hamilton and Rosberg secure in their seats, there would be no race seat for Wehrlein at the current world constructor’s champions.
Having negotiated a deal to supply engines to Manor, it would make sense for Mercedes to seek a possible partnership with the British team, similar to that between Red Bull and Toro Rosso, or next year’s alliance between Haas and Ferrari.
Speaking about the possibility of a Formula 1 race seat Wehrlein said: “Toto has to decide how to proceed. If he sees a way to put me into a formula one, then I would be happy to go.
“The best way would obviously be at Mercedes, but there is probably no chance of that. So then you have to look at what the alternatives are.”
