Mercedes protégé Pascal Wehrlein is hoping to discuss his F1 future in the coming days with Toro Wolff and Sauber boss Fred Vasseur.
Wehrlein’s contract with the Swiss outfit expires at the end of the season but Vasseur hasn’t discarded the German driver from the team’s 2018 line-up despite the likelihood of a Ferrari junior, or perhaps even two, joining the Hinwil-based squad.
Wehrlein has also been short-listed by Williams, along with Felipe Massa, Robert Kubica and Paul di Resta. Tech boss Paddy Lowe insisted however that the team is in no rush to choose the man who will race alongside Lance Stroll next season.
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“I’m planning to speak to Fred and Toto in the coming days,” Wehrlein told Motorsport.com.
“There was no news before the weekend but maybe there is some new information from this weekend, so let’s see.
“I spoke to Vasseur in Japan and he said it’s an option for me [to stay at Sauber]. I don’t know how much Ferrari is involved in that. It’s between the Ferrari drivers, Marcus [Ericsson] and me.”
As a Mercedes-supported driver, Wehrlein’s interests are handled directly by motorsport boss Toto Wolff, who believes a Williams opportunity exists despite sponsor Martini’s preference to see at least one of Williams drivers aged 25 or older for reasons associated with the alcohol brands image.
“I think Toto is still talking to the team [Williams], he’ss talking to everyone who could be an option, including Williams,” said Wehrlein for whom Williams is perceived as a great opportunity.
“Williams has a great car at the moment, they are fighting for P5 [in the constructors’] so it would be a big step for me.
“At the moment, I’m at Sauber and I’m thinking about Sauber and what we can do here in the next four races.”
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