Mercedes-AMG has confirmed that they will part ways with Pascal Wehrlein at the end of the season after six years together.

Wehrlein’s association with the Stuttgart-based manufacturer started in 2013, when the 23-year-old became the youngest ever DTM driver, making his debut with Mücke Motorsport. The German driver would move to HWA the following season, becoming also the youngest DTM champion in 2015.

Mercedes would then promote Wehrlein to Formula 1 where he stayed for two years, before returning to DTM this year, Mercedes-AMG’s final season in the series.

“My contract with Mercedes expires at the end of the 2018 season and we have jointly decided not to continue further together,” Wehrlein said in a statement. “I am looking for new challenges and opportunities, and am currently talking to other teams about a cockpit for next season. “

“I am very grateful for all the support Mercedes has offered me – from my first meeting with Gerhard Ungar and Norbert Haug in 2012, to the decision with Toto to join DTM instead of F3 in 2013, through to my title in 2015; it was a dream come true for a kid who drew up an hour from Stuttgart.

“That opened the door to Formula 1, first with Manor and then Sauber; the points I scored with both teams were huge moments. Thank you to everybody in Stuttgart, Affalterbach and Brackley who has supported me along the way. And now it’s time to take the next step.”

Mercedes-AMG motorsport boss Toto Wolff said: “Unfortunately, we couldn’t offer Pascal a competitive drive for next year. In his best interests, we have therefore decided together with Pascal not to extend our agreement and to give him the best chance of securing an opportunity elsewhere that his talent merits. We want to thank him for his fantastic performances for Mercedes-Benz in recent years and wish him all the best for the future.”

Wehrlein is currently third in the championship, with a podium finish at the Lausitzring as his best result this season.