F1 News

Werhlein determined to help Ferrari win championship in 2019

Werhlein determined to help Ferrari win championship in 2019

05-02-2019 12:45
2
Author profile picture

Jake Williams-Smith

Newly-signed Ferrari development driver Pascal Wehrlein says he is ready to get to work and help Ferrari win their first drivers' title since 2007.

The German was one of four drivers announced as being a part of the simulator programme for the Italian team in 2019.

The 24-year-old's previous stint in Formula One as a Mercedes junior driver saw him race with Sauber in 2017 but he quickly fell by the wayside in the ever-evolving world landscape in F1.

Having been left down the pecking order in the Mercedes junior driver programme with the arrival of Esteban Ocon on the scene, Wehrlein was snapped up by Ferrari ahead of the 2019 season.

Alongside his Formula E commitments with Mahindra Formula E Racing, Wehrlein will be a member of the Scuderia Ferrari simulator line-up alongside Brendon Hartley, Antonio Fuoco and Davide Rigon.

"It makes me extremely proud. It's an honour for me to work for Ferrari," Wehrlein said of the announcement.

He also told AutoBild that his trip to the team's base at Maranello had inspired him to help the team win their first driver's championship since Kimi Raikkonen last won it with the Prancing Horse in 2007.

"I've been to Maranello and I've felt a mood there that I've never experienced before. Ferrari is just something very special.

"I will do my utmost to help Sebastian Vettel and the entire Ferrari team to win the world championship. They deserve it."