Pascal Wehrlein has revealed he is still open to an F1 return

The German driver is currently impressing in Formula E after losing his F1 seat at Sauber to Charles Leclerc ahead of the 2018 season. Wehrlein drove in DTM last year and has caught the eye for Mahindra since joining the all-electric series while also securing a development role with Ferrari for 2019. Speaking exclusively to Express Sport ahead of the Hong Kong ePrix, Wehrlein said: “I would of course be open to F1 again if something came up, but not in any case – it needs to be the right team. “I don’t want to be in a team again fighting for P18 or P20. If a good opportunity is coming up, yes I would be open to it and consider it, but not for any price.

“I’m really happy where I am and also with Mahindra. They have made such a great environment for me and I am feeling really happy, which I didn’t feel for a long time in racing. “I’m enjoying it so much, which I didn’t do for a long time. It has to be the right thing.” Wehrlein missed the opening race of the Formula E season due to contractual obligations with Mercedes but showed good pace on his debut in Marrakesh before finishing second in Santiago and leading all but the final lap in Mexico. An unfortunate crash involving Felipe Nasr and team-mate Jerome d’Ambrosio saw the 24-year-old leave Hong Kong with no points, but Wehrlein is convinced a first win is just around the corner.

The Mahindra Racing ace was caught up in an accident during the Hong Kong ePrix

“I think so far we have put everything together and we are achieving good results together,” he said. “We are enjoying our weekends, I’m having good fun and it’s like a family here. I am comfortable in the team and everything is good. “I think sooner or later, for sure, we will win some races. I don’t think that is in question, but for me there is no pressure. “Obviously I want it to be as soon as possible and I’m pushing really hard for it, but looking at our pace and my first races it felt really good so it will only be a matter of time.”

Wehrlein came within a lap of winning the Mexico ePrix

Fierce competition for seats in F1 has seen a number of talented drivers, including Wehrlein and Mercedes protege Esteban Ocon, miss out in recent years and focus on alternative series. The emergence of GP2 stars Lando Norris, George Russell and Alexander Albon has made the driver market even more congested while Robert Kubica’s long-awaited return from injury saw another 2019 seat get snapped up. However, Wehrlein is still only 24-years-old while the likes of Kimi Raikkonen (39), Lewis Hamilton (34), Romain Grosjean (32), Sebastian Vettel and Nico Hulkenberg (both 31) are arguably heading towards the latter stages of their careers. The development role at Ferrari keeps the German’s foot in the door of the F1 paddock, and Wehrlein will now hope he can keep building his reputation in Formula E and put himself in the shop window.

The German is restoring his reputation in Formula E after a tough couple of years