Pascal Wehrlein has admitted he is disappointed to miss out on the vacant Force India seat for 2017.
With Nico Hulkenberg moving on to Renault for next year, an opening has arisen at the Mercedes customer team, but they have opted to sign the less experienced Ocon over his Mercedes junior counterpart Wehrlein.
"Toto (Wolff) called me," he said. "He said Force India chose Esteban and I will have to understand why that is or what I can improve from my side."
Wehrlein is now expected to stay with Manor for a second season, with the Haas refugee Esteban Gutierrez one of the names being linked with the team alongside him.
Wehrlein said in Brazil: "It is not the end of the world, it is a missed opportunity but I am happy to stay here and try to make another step next year."
Asked how he is coping with the news, Wehrlein said: "I have to deal with it.
"I can say something bad now but that will not help me. It has been coming for days and yesterday I got the confirmation and all I can do is wish Esteban all the best.
"I will now continue to show on the track what I have in me - this is a small step back but no more," he insisted.
Pascal Wehrlein: "All I can do is wish Esteban all the best"
- Published on 11 Nov 2016 10:12
-
1
- By: Dominik Wilde
Trending news
-
Leclerc expects Ferrari's start-line advantage to be short-lived
Charles Leclerc enjoyed a brilliant start in Melbourne, splitting the front-row Mercedes cars to take an early lead i...
13 Mar 2026 16:23 -
Norris: McLaren must look inward to close the gap to Mercedes
Reigning world champion Lando Norris has dismissed suggestions that Mercedes is withholding technical information fro...
13 Mar 2026 15:22 -
Vowles: Weight reduction solutions for Williams hampered by budget cap
Williams faced a difficult start to the 2026 campaign in Melbourne, primarily due to the FW48 being significantly ove...
13 Mar 2026 14:21 -
Pérez warns of potential for heavy crashes under new rules
The 2026 Formula 1 regulations have introduced significant safety concerns among the drivers, with Cadillac’s S...
13 Mar 2026 13:19 -
Wolff acknowledges need for 2026 regulation adjustments
Despite Mercedes securing a dominant one-two finish at the season opener in Australia, team principal Toto Wolff rema...
13 Mar 2026 12:18
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
World Championship standings 2025
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Driver profile
- Team -
- Points -
- Podiums -
- Grand Prix -
- Country MX
- Date of b. Aug 5 1991 (34)
- Place of b. Monterrey, MX
- Weight 63 kg
- Length 1.8 m
1 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Esteban Gutierrez
Team profile
- Team name Force India
- Base Silverstone, India
- Sergio Perez 11
- Sergio Perez 11
- Nico Hülkenberg 12
- Adrian Sutil 14
- Adrian Sutil 15
- Lance Stroll 18
- Adrian Sutil 20
- Nico Hülkenberg 27
- Nico Hülkenberg 27
- Esteban Ocon 31
- Esteban Ocon 31
96,021 comments on Force India
8 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Force India

Replies (1)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Better luck next time Wehrlein!