Pascal Wehrlein: "Formula E has the most powerful driver field of motor sport!"

PHOTO SPORT: Mr. Wehrlein, January 12th, you will make your Formula E debut. You missed the first race in Saudi Arabia. Why exactly?

Pascal Wehrlein (24):I always had a contract with Mercedes and I did not go out early. For me, the season is just beginning in Marrakech and I look forward to the new chapter.

A chapter without sound …

Of course, everyone loves the sound of a gas engine, but you have to keep up. Electromobility is becoming more and more important and Formula E is a professional motor sport. The car rolls like a formula car, even if the engine noise is missing.

What do you expect from the Mahindra Indian team?

Mahindra is an innovative and great team. I was really happy that my teammate in Riyadh annoyed the factory teams and finished third. It shows our potential.

But that also increases expectations on your part.

I do not hurry. I am a newcomer to Formula E. This means that I still have a lot to learn, and that is up.

Many say that participation in Formula E would be a step backward for a young runner who really wants to drive Formula One.

I do not think so Formula E is a new opportunity for me. This is the series that grows the most and where you want to position yourself for the future. The level of the drivers is very high, the field is on average the strongest of motorsport. As a driver, you can always make the difference on urban circuits – more than in Formula 1. And: The series is very competitive. Audi is here, Jaguar, Nissan, BMW and soon also Porsche and Mercedes. New generation cars have leapt ahead in terms of performance and speed. A win is now worth a lot. In the DTM, I've already done it all with the 2015 title. My future is clearly in Formula racing, and Formula E is one of the most appealing series in this field.

But your goal remains a return in Formula 1?

Of course that's my goal. Whatever it is, sooner or later. But for the moment, I focus on my work in Formula E. I think you can recommend even better for the luxury class in the future thanks to good performance here.

For whom do you keep your fingers crossed in Formula 1 in 2019?

Obviously, Sebastian Vettel. It's no secret to us that we understand each other very well. Sebastian is someone who has stayed behind despite his tremendous success. When I arrived in Formula 1 in 2016, we got along very well from the start. It helped me a lot. Just after my accident at the 2017 Race of Champions in Miami, he was always by my side. He and Ferrari would have more than deserved the title.