Another piece of the 2017 Formula 1 puzzle has fitted into place with Sauber’s confirmation of Pascal Wehrlein.
The empty Mercedes drive may be getting all the attention, but there was also a fair bit of gossip surrounding Sauber’s spare seat.
That’s now been filled, with Wehrlein switching from Manor to Sauber for F1 2017 to replace Felipe Nasr.
Mercedes protégé Wehrlein moved up to F1 last year with Manor following several seasons in the DTM touring car series, becoming its youngest race winner in 2015.
Manor well and truly joined the back of the midfield battle in 2016 and Wehrlein impressed, with several Q2 appearances and a 10th place finish at the Austrian GP.
But with Manor falling into administration and Wehrlein failing to be picked for the Mercedes seat (which is set to go to Valtteri Bottas), he didn’t have many options.
Very happy to announce that I will drive for @SauberF1Team 2017! ☺️
Thank you @SauberF1Team thank you @MercedesAMGF1!
— Pascal Wehrlein (@PWehrlein) January 16, 2017
Now he’s been confirmed at Sauber alongside Marcus Ericsson, completing the team’s line-up for next year. Let’s see what Sauber can do in 2017 after a disastrous campaign last season.
Wehrlein is clearly excited to still be on the grid in F1 2017 and it’s a strong signing for Sauber, after the German’s impressive rookie season.