DTM: Mercedes prefers DTM/F1 reserve role, not GP2, for Wehrlein

Mercedes-Benz has hinted that its Formula 1 reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein is likely to stay in the DTM next season, although it has not ruled out the German switching to GP2.

Wehrlein, who last month became the youngest winner in DTM history with victory at the Lausitzring, is currently the official reserve driver for Mercedes AMG F1 team, and recently drove a Formula 1 car for the first time at Portimao. According to the company's motorsport boss Toto Wolff, the test proved that Wehrlein has a future in Formula 1.

"He has developed incredibly well," said Wolff. "We put in him an F1 car at Portimao, which is a very technical circuit with hills and dips. I was there, and in the car the lad looked like he'd been driving F1 cars his whole life. He did three long runs, without any physical difficulties.

"I watched him at each corner three or four times, and at every corner he braked at the same point every time, and not once did he lose the car. Very impressive. And he came straight back and put in a super performance at Lausitzring. He has the right stuff to go on."

Wehrlein's role with the F1 team had raised questions about his future in the DTM, leading to speculation that he may switch to GP2 for 2015. While Wolff admits GP2, and even a full-time F1 role as a test driver, are options, he says that a combined DTM/F1 program is the preferred option.

"I think it's too early say much about [next year]. Firstly, we don't want to lose him from the DTM. And secondly, there's not that many doors open in F1 where he can gain kilometers in a reasonable car," he said.

"[GP2] is also a possibility. But in GP2 you have to be with the right team, and there aren't that many that are right. Maybe two or three. We've seen that even the good guys need some time there, because many of the drivers are in their fourth or fifth year.

"I prefer the way that we did it with [Valtteri] Bottas [who skipped GP2]. An apprenticeship, but maybe not in a single-seater, instead in the DTM, running a parallel program where he gets a few kilometers [in F1]. That could be a reserve or test driver role, or Friday role with a smaller team."

Originally on Autosport.com