1
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes it is very unlikely that Pascal Wehrlein will be snapped up by Williams for 2018 as it is prioritising a return for Robert Kubica. Wehrlein is also likely to be dropped by Sauber, as the team is to bring in at least one Ferrari junior driver.
Wehrlein, who is a Mercedes junior, is likely to be on the F1 sidelines next year as there are no realistic spaces on the grid left. Wolff admits that there is a very small chance that Wehrlein could join Williams, but only if Kubica fails to impress the Grove-based outfit.
"I think it has been clearly said that Williams's priority is Robert," Wolff told Autosport. "Robert from my point of view deserves the chance in the Williams, and it's out of Pascal's hands. There is still a tiny possibility [for Wehrlein] if Robert doesn't do well, but none of us wishes him to not do well.
"All of us are actually cheering for him. I'm in two minds because I think for F1, for Robert, and for Williams it will be great if he performs, and on the other side it looks like it's Pascal's last chance, and he's our junior," he added.
Wehrlein joined Formula 1 in 2016 with Manor and scored his first point for the team in Austria. Earlier this year, he claimed an eighth-place finish in Spain and tenth in Azerbaijan, which remains his and Sauber's only points of the year so far. Sauber is expected to name its 2018 line-up next week.
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
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
0 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Susie Wolff 113,207 comments on Sauber 5 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Sauber
Replies (1)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Wehrlein is pretty much confirmed to leave the field. Sauber really didnt hesitate to return to her old lover Ferrari when it started to pay her better than Mercedes ever was willing to. And Wehrlein hasnt really been that great... Unless we underestimate Ericsson's skills, and I doubt thats the case, sadly.