| By Lawrence Barretto | |
| F1 Reporter |
It has been a tough few months for Pascal Wehrlein. First Force India overlooked him in favour of fellow Mercedes junior Esteban Ocon. Then it was decided he was not ready to step up to the works team when a vacancy became available following Nico Rosberg's retirement. So when it was announced that Wehrlein would join Sauber, which scored just two points last season and only saved itself from being defeated in the constructors' championship by Manor in the penultimate round of the season, there was a feeling in some quarters that this was an underwhelming move for a driver who Autosport rated as the rookie of the year in 2016. It has been considered a snub from Mercedes, but that is anything but the case. Any suggestion that Mercedes has lost faith in the 22-year-old and dumped him at Sauber is not a fair representation. Mercedes still rates Wehrlein. The team was impressed with the way he took on his debut season, the way he reacted when Ocon joined the team after the summer break and how he delivered performances above what the car was capable of, particularly towards the end of the season. In a car that was the slowest on the grid overall, Wehrlein dragged it into Q2 four times in the final nine races.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff knows that in Wehrlein and Ocon he has two drivers capable of driving for the world-champion outfit in the future. But despite a stellar first season, Mercedes feels one year's experience is not yet enough for Wehrlein to step up to drive alongside three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. That is not to say Wehrlein won't be ready in the future. Sauber has form in blooding young drivers, with Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa having been schooled there before moving on to bigger teams. Its 2017 package is likely to struggle, given the length of time it took to secure its financial future, and the fact that it will run a year-old Ferrari engine. But on the flip-side, the new owners represent stability and have instilled a confidence that there is budget to develop the car consistently throughout the season. That will be critical, given that development under the new rules package is expected to be relentless. And though the engine will lack grunt compared to rivals with the latest-spec units, it will at least be reliable. Sauber also represents a step up for Wehrlein in terms of the experience level of the team he races for. This kind of environment will provide Wehrlein with the perfect opportunity to learn and develop new skills. And, ultimately, it's a seat on the F1 grid. Wolff and Mercedes did not have to find him one if they didn't believe he had a future. But they did.
The trouble was when Force India plumped for Ocon, Wehrlein's realistic options were limited to just Sauber and Manor. Williams did have a seat available, but it had different requirements - with rookie Lance Stroll confirmed long-term, it wanted an experienced driver alongside him. Though Wehrlein impressed last season, scoring Manor's only point in Austria, he lacked the experience in F1 Williams was looking for. The team was also unable to employ two drivers under the age of 25 because of clashes with key sponsor Martini. So Felipe Massa was chosen because he would provide continuity and the experience of 14 F1 seasons and 250 grands prix. So with Manor's future uncertain, Sauber was considered a stronger and more stable opportunity. Talks between Wolff and Sauber chief Monisha Kaltenborn took place at Interlagos last November. A change of scene is a good thing for Wehrlein. While his performances on track were strong, he has a lot to learn off it - there is a perception among some in the paddock that Wehrlein is difficult to get along with. It's emerged that he missed out on the Force India seat not because of his on-track performances, but how it was believed he would have integrated with the team. And he admits he underestimated the off-track challenges he would face in F1 in his debut season.
"I know the reasons why and it's something that's easy to change," said Wehrlein of the Force India snub. "It had nothing to do with performance. They think Esteban is fitting better into the team – that's it. "The decision had nothing to do with feedback or performance, but had something to do with how they were getting along with me, something on a personal side. "I learned a lot on track, but there's also a lot to learn off the track. But now on track I'm 100% sure that everything is getting better and easier. "From the first to the second year the step is always the biggest you make in your career. Off the track I will try more and I'm sure I can improve." The suggestion that Wehrlein is a bad egg isn't held across the paddock, with Manor racing director Dave Ryan saying that he has been misjudged. "Pascal is a huge talent, there's no doubt about it, and he's a lovely kid," he insists. "Some people have an opinion of Pascal and it's just wrong. The guy is just completely honest, he tries really hard. He's a great driver with great race craft, great awareness of what's going on around him." Critically for Wehrlein, Mercedes is pleased with him too. He has delivered in every category, winning the ADAC Formel Masters title, becoming a European Formula 3 race winner and earning the distinction of being the DTM's youngest champion.
Last year in F1 he continued that trend. Mercedes will be keen to protect its investment, and placing him at Sauber makes a lot of sense. It may even work out well for Wehrlein, as the low-profile team will give him a second season to brush up on those skills outside the limelight of a big team. Ocon will be under more pressure at Force India, where podiums may be expected alongside the proven Sergio Perez. Wehrlein's target will be to beat Marcus Ericsson comfortably and get good feedback from his mechanics as well as just relax into the role. "I am pleased to know that Pascal will be racing at Sauber to continue his development in F1," says Wolff. "He had a good first season with Manor and we feel this is the right path for him in the sport. "It's satisfying to have both of our young drivers taking on new challenges in F1 this year, with Esteban also racing at Force India. We'll be following their progress closely." All is not lost for Wehrlein. Sauber is merely the next step in his career. Mercedes continues to back him, and he remains as hungry as ever. Plus a seat at Mercedes is a possibility next season if Bottas does not work out, or in 2019 if Hamilton does not renew his contract. Time is on Wehrlein's side. He just needs to keep producing, and smooth out the rough edges.
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| By Lawrence Barretto | |
| F1 Reporter |
It has been a tough few months for Pascal Wehrlein. First Force India overlooked him in favour of fellow Mercedes junior Esteban Ocon. Then it was decided he was not ready to step up to the works team when a vacancy became available following Nico Rosberg's retirement. So when it was announced that Wehrlein would join Sauber, which scored just two points last season and only saved itself from being defeated in the constructors' championship by Manor in the penultimate round of the season, there was a feeling in some quarters that this was an underwhelming move for a driver who Autosport rated as the rookie of the year in 2016. It has been considered a snub from Mercedes, but that is anything but the case. Any suggestion that Mercedes has lost faith in the 22-year-old and dumped him at Sauber is not a fair representation. Mercedes still rates Wehrlein. The team was impressed with the way he took on his debut season, the way he reacted when Ocon joined the team after the summer break and how he delivered performances above what the car was capable of, particularly towards the end of the season. In a car that was the slowest on the grid overall, Wehrlein dragged it into Q2 four times in the final nine races.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff knows that in Wehrlein and Ocon he has two drivers capable of driving for the world-champion outfit in the future. But despite a stellar first season, Mercedes feels one year's experience is not yet enough for Wehrlein to step up to drive alongside three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. That is not to say Wehrlein won't be ready in the future. Sauber has form in blooding young drivers, with Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa having been schooled there before moving on to bigger teams. Its 2017 package is likely to struggle, given the length of time it took to secure its financial future, and the fact that it will run a year-old Ferrari engine. But on the flip-side, the new owners represent stability and have instilled a confidence that there is budget to develop the car consistently throughout the season. That will be critical, given that development under the new rules package is expected to be relentless. And though the engine will lack grunt compared to rivals with the latest-spec units, it will at least be reliable. Sauber also represents a step up for Wehrlein in terms of the experience level of the team he races for. This kind of environment will provide Wehrlein with the perfect opportunity to learn and develop new skills. And, ultimately, it's a seat on the F1 grid. Wolff and Mercedes did not have to find him one if they didn't believe he had a future. But they did.
The trouble was when Force India plumped for Ocon, Wehrlein's realistic options were limited to just Sauber and Manor. Williams did have a seat available, but it had different requirements - with rookie Lance Stroll confirmed long-term, it wanted an experienced driver alongside him. Though Wehrlein impressed last season, scoring Manor's only point in Austria, he lacked the experience in F1 Williams was looking for. The team was also unable to employ two drivers under the age of 25 because of clashes with key sponsor Martini. So Felipe Massa was chosen because he would provide continuity and the experience of 14 F1 seasons and 250 grands prix. So with Manor's future uncertain, Sauber was considered a stronger and more stable opportunity. Talks between Wolff and Sauber chief Monisha Kaltenborn took place at Interlagos last November. A change of scene is a good thing for Wehrlein. While his performances on track were strong, he has a lot to learn off it - there is a perception among some in the paddock that Wehrlein is difficult to get along with. It's emerged that he missed out on the Force India seat not because of his on-track performances, but how it was believed he would have integrated with the team. And he admits he underestimated the off-track challenges he would face in F1 in his debut season.
"I know the reasons why and it's something that's easy to change," said Wehrlein of the Force India snub. "It had nothing to do with performance. They think Esteban is fitting better into the team – that's it. "The decision had nothing to do with feedback or performance, but had something to do with how they were getting along with me, something on a personal side. "I learned a lot on track, but there's also a lot to learn off the track. But now on track I'm 100% sure that everything is getting better and easier. "From the first to the second year the step is always the biggest you make in your career. Off the track I will try more and I'm sure I can improve." The suggestion that Wehrlein is a bad egg isn't held across the paddock, with Manor racing director Dave Ryan saying that he has been misjudged. "Pascal is a huge talent, there's no doubt about it, and he's a lovely kid," he insists. "Some people have an opinion of Pascal and it's just wrong. The guy is just completely honest, he tries really hard. He's a great driver with great race craft, great awareness of what's going on around him." Critically for Wehrlein, Mercedes is pleased with him too. He has delivered in every category, winning the ADAC Formel Masters title, becoming a European Formula 3 race winner and earning the distinction of being the DTM's youngest champion.
Last year in F1 he continued that trend. Mercedes will be keen to protect its investment, and placing him at Sauber makes a lot of sense. It may even work out well for Wehrlein, as the low-profile team will give him a second season to brush up on those skills outside the limelight of a big team. Ocon will be under more pressure at Force India, where podiums may be expected alongside the proven Sergio Perez. Wehrlein's target will be to beat Marcus Ericsson comfortably and get good feedback from his mechanics as well as just relax into the role. "I am pleased to know that Pascal will be racing at Sauber to continue his development in F1," says Wolff. "He had a good first season with Manor and we feel this is the right path for him in the sport. "It's satisfying to have both of our young drivers taking on new challenges in F1 this year, with Esteban also racing at Force India. We'll be following their progress closely." All is not lost for Wehrlein. Sauber is merely the next step in his career. Mercedes continues to back him, and he remains as hungry as ever. Plus a seat at Mercedes is a possibility next season if Bottas does not work out, or in 2019 if Hamilton does not renew his contract. Time is on Wehrlein's side. He just needs to keep producing, and smooth out the rough edges.
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