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Mercedes junior Wehrlein would be happy with second Manor F1 season

Pascal Wehrlein says he would be happy to stay at Manor for a second Formula 1 season, amid speculation linking him to the vacant seat at Force India.

The Mercedes junior has impressed in his debut F1 season, gaining plaudits for his starts in particular, and scored a crucial point for Manor with 10th in Austria.

Manor has expressed a desire to keep both Wehrlein and team-mate Esteban Ocon, with a late call expected on its 2017 line-up.

Wehrlein has said he has complete faith in Mercedes to ensure he will stay on the grid, although where that will be remains unclear, with Nico Hulkenberg's switch to Renault opening up a space at Force India.

Another Mercedes junior, Ocon has also been linked with Force India, and is also on Renault's shortlist to partner Hulkenberg.

"Of course the target is to arrive in the best position possible, but let's see what happens next year," Wehrlein said.

"I would be happy to stay here. The team has made big progress since last year and also this year since the first race, which I am really happy about.

"I think for next year there is another possibility to make a big step and it would be a nice story to [stay with] Manor.

"It is hard to say they had worst car, but on average this year it was like that.

"But we took the opportunities when they were there and last year the gap to the second-last team was two seconds. It is not the same team any more.

"I am involved in the things that will happen next year and the development.

"[But] I don't know at the moment - truly I know zero about next year."

When asked if he would rather develop his skills as a leader at Manor or be a junior member of a team further up the grid, Wehrlein said he does not believe those situations exist.

"There is never a 'number one' or a 'number two'," he said.

"Both drivers have the same opportunity and one is taking the opportunity more than the other one.

"Yes, if you join a new team you are the new member and you have to prove yourself, that you can be the better one of the two drivers.

"But, as I said, I don't think there is a clear number one or a clear number two driver."

Zdroj: autosport.com