F1 tests in 2015 shaped Force India's decision to overlook Wehrlein
Pascal Wehrlein says Force India's decision to overlook him in favour of Esteban Ocon for a Formula 1 race seat next year centred around his interaction with the team
The Mercedes junior impressed in his debut F1 season, scoring Manor's only 2016 point in the Austrian Grand Prix and reaching Q2 four times in the last nine races.
But after analysing Ocon, Wehrlein and Felipe Nasr, Force India decided to sign the French youngster to partner Sergio Perez next season as part of a multi-year deal.
In the wake of the decision, Wehrlein said he planned to speak to Force India to understand the reasoning, which he has now done.
Wehrlein completed two-and-a-half days of testing with Force India in 2015, initially in its '14-spec car pre-season at Barcelona, and one day mid-year at the Red Bull Ring, and believes the team's experience working with him influenced its decision.
"I wanted to learn from the situation," he told Autosport.
"I didn't want to go there and be angry and talk to them in a bad mood.
"I know the reasons why and it's something easy to change.
"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."
Wehrlein is in contention to replace the retired Nico Rosberg, but Mercedes has reservations about his relative lack of experience.
The German also leads Sauber's shortlist, with Mercedes chief Toto Wolff and Sauber boss Monisha Kaltenborn having met to discuss a 2017 drive.
However, those talks are currently on the backburner while Mercedes focuses on finding Lewis Hamilton's new team-mate.
Wehrlein, who is known to have a good working relationship with his mechanics at Manor, feels like he can learn from Force India's decision and get better for the future.
"I will always try my best and do my best to ensure everyone is happy," he said.
"In the test something happened, something they were not happy, and that's it.
"I cannot change it anymore and I can just learn from it and do better in the future."
Share Or Save This Story
F1 testing: Max Verstappen feels 'big difference' in 2018 Red Bull
Williams F1's Oliver Rowland to test Super Formula car at Suzuka
Why F1's under-fire rookie is already causing surprises
Formula E Shanghai E-Prix: Wehrlein dominates in both dry and wet for victory
Why transition from Formula E to Hypercar has been "so easy" for Wehrlein
Why Porsche’s final Le Mans driver choice is intriguing
Ocon owns up to “mistakes” after multiple collisions with Perez at Force India
Former Force India F1 boss Fernley dies aged 70
What Haas got out of its failed Force India protest
Russell: “You’ve got to laugh” at bad luck as F1 title drifts away
WRC Sardinia: Evans suffers puncture ahead of Power Stage in title decider
F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Verstappen wins chaotic race from Antonelli as Russell retires late on
LIVE: F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia - Verstappen wins from Antonelli, Russell DNFs after late engine failure
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments