Pascal Wehrlein says Mercedes will have to re-evaluate its approach regarding young drivers, following its decision to withdraw from DTM at the end of 2018.
Mercedes announced last month that it would bring down the curtain on its programme in the category at the conclusion of next year’s campaign, instead choosing to enter Formula E for 2019/20.
Mercedes has used DTM as a stepping stone for its youngsters, with Wehrlein the most prominent example, having claimed the 2015 crown, earning a role with Manor for 2016, before moving to Sauber this year.
Fellow Mercedes-affiliated drivers Paul di Resta and Esteban Ocon competed in DTM prior to making their F1 bows, and Wehrlein reckons Mercedes will have to adopt a new approach.
“Definitely with Mercedes you had the chance to still go in F1,” Wehrlein said of participating in DTM.
“DTM is not the normal way. You start in Formula 4, Formula 3, Formula 2, GP3, that’s the normal way.
“I can just tell you about my case, it was not possible for me to drive in GP2; I did not have the budget of one and a half millions so I had to decide what can I do after Formula 3.
“For me it was clear that there was an offer from Mercedes that I could drive DTM, I’m getting paid and don’t have to spend crazy amount of money for another year of Formula 3 or something like this.
“As I said, GP2 was not possible, so for me the only option was DTM and I was really happy about that chance.
“I always knew if I did a good job, winning and so on, there could still be a chance to arrive in F1, luckily I won DTM and now I’m in F1, but I think this is only possible with Mercedes.
“So now maybe without DTM they will put their drivers in Formula 3, GP3 and F2 and maybe they now don’t try any more to go the second way.”
Mercedes’ DTM title contender Lucas Auer recently tested for Force India in Formula 1, while the manufacturer’s rising protégé, Briton George Russell, currently leads the GP3 championship.
