Mercedes joined the Formula 1 grid in 2010 with a very strong line-up of up-and-coming racer Nico Rosberg and seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.
Although Schumacher never rediscovered his best form for the Silver Arrows, Nico Rosberg developed into a driver who went on to become an F1 world champion.
Rosberg’s battle with Lewis Hamilton was one of the fiercest intra-team rivalries the sport has seen for some time.
Hamilton was forced into mistakes by Rosberg during the 2016 season, which is one of the reasons why the German ended up winning his one and only title.
However, just a few days later, Rosberg announced his retirement from Formula 1, leaving team principal Toto Wolff with a seat to fill.
Wolff ended up buying Valtteri Bottas out of his Williams contract, but another driver who was already on Mercedes’ books has just admitted that it was a ‘shame’ the faith wasn’t put in him to step up.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Pascal Wehrlein discusses Mercedes snub after Nico Rosberg Formula 1 retirement
Mercedes have never had a widespread junior program, but when Rosberg hung up his racing gloves, Pascal Wehrlein and Esteban Ocon were both part of their academy.
The pair were teammates at the end of the 2016 campaign with Manor, and while Mercedes overlooked both drivers at that point, Ocon went on to join Force India, and Wehrlein signed up for his second and final season in F1 with Sauber.
Wehrlein was asked on the RacingNews365 Podcast about being overlooked by Mercedes for Rosberg’s seat and explained: “I think the thinking in the past was probably a bit different.
“It was a lot more likely to put experienced guys in the cars, and I really liked the trend which we are seeing right now that the teams and the guys deciding, they give the young drivers a chance.
“Even though they don’t have a lot of experience, but they’ve shown that they are able to race quickly and that they are super fast.
| PASCAL WEHRLEIN | MANOR, SAUBER |
| Grand Prix starts | 39 |
| Points | 6 |
| First Grand Prix | 2016 Australian GP |
| Last Grand Prix | 2017 Abu Dhabi GP |
| Best qualifying | 9th – 2017 Bahrain GP |
| Best result | 8th – 2017 Spanish GP |
“I think, it sounds crazy, but 10 years ago, when I was super young, I think that trend was a bit different.
“Everyone wanted to have the most experienced guys who have already proven in several years that they are performing great, there is not a lot of risk.
“I think only Red Bull was a bit different in the past, and actually also gave super young drivers a chance to be in their A team.
“Obviously, it’s a shame, it would have been great to get a car where I can show my performance and show my talent, but it didn’t happen and sometimes everything happens for a reason.”
Wehrlein did go on to say that he ‘couldn’t be happier’ with the position that he’s now found himself in.
The German is a Formula E and DTM champion with a year of racing in IMSA to look forward to in 2025.
READ MORE: ‘Couldn’t brake’… The F1 car that left Esteban Ocon with ‘two black marks’ after every race
Pascal Wehrlein impressive racing career after Mercedes F1 snub
Unfortunately for Wehrlein, despite outscoring Sauber teammate Marcus Ericsson, he was dropped to make way for Charles Leclerc in 2018.
Wehrlein took the well-trodden route from Formula 1 to Formula E that year and after two seasons with Mahindra Racing, he was signed by Porsche for the 2020-21 campaign, while also undertaking development driver duties for Ferrari.
The 30-year-old won the Formula E championship last year and has signed up to race in IMSA and Le Mans this season.
Wehrlein’s Formula 1 career is another example of having the required talent but not the necessary timing to go on and succeed.
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