I don't want to annoy Mercedes - Wehrlein
ByAutoSport
Published 05/12/2016 at 11:05 GMT
Pascal Wehrlein says he does not want to annoy Mercedes by pestering the Formula 1 team regarding Nico Rosberg's vacant 2017 seat but insists he is ready to step up.
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
Newly-crowned world champion Rosberg shocked the motorsport world when he announced his retirement on Friday, having only signed a new deal to keep him at the team until 2018 in July.
Mercedes is believed to have had a lot of interest in the seat, with boss Toto Wolff saying the team would "take the necessary time" to work out a replacement.
Who should Mercedes pick to replace Rosberg?
Mercedes junior Wehrlein has just completed his first season in F1 with Manor, impressing by scoring the team's only point and reaching Q2 in four of the last nine races.
He was top of Sauber's shortlist for its remaining 2017 drive, but admitted Mercedes was now the focus.
"The team knows I would love to drive for them, the tests I did were great," Wehrlein told Autosport.
"I cannot call them every day to say 'what's happening?' I don't want to be annoying.
"I'm there if they think I'm the right person for the team.
"I will do whatever I have to do and whatever is necessary to deliver.
"I just have to wait now."
Wehrlein said he has spoken to Wolff following Rosberg's announcement, most recently at a Mercedes event in Stuttgart on Saturday, but was none the wiser about the future.
"There is no news at the moment, but as expected every driver is calling him," said Wehrlein.
"Everyone wants to grab this unbelievable opportunity to join the Mercedes team.
"I understand they want to go for the best option, that they want to have a bit more time, or the time they need to decide which one they think will be the best one for the team."
Should he be given the opportunity, Wehrlein feels he is ready to make the step up, alongside three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
"Of course one season in Formula 1 is not a lot but I learned all the tracks now and I learned how the tyres are working," he said.
"I feel like I've had a strong season and I'm ready to make the step up.
"There is still a lot to learn for me but I'm happy with the progress I'm making.
"It's important for me to know I'm not on my limit now. I haven't reached my limit - there is still a lot of time coming.
"After this year, I definitely I feel ready."
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