Former Manor and Sauber driver Pascal Wehrlein has reportedly turned down the chance to race in Formula E as he looks to Formula 1 for 2019.
The German recently departed the Mercedes junior program in an effort to boost his options and is thought to be top of the list of choices to partner Daniil Kvyat at Toro Rosso next year.
Some scepticism on that rumour was poured when Wehrlein was seen driving a Formula E car in testing but now it appears he will not be in the all-electric series.
“At the time when we would have liked to have made the decision, Pascal’s focus was very clear: to return to F1,” Uli Fritz, team boss with the Mercedes-linked HWA squad in Formula E told GPFans.
“If he does Formula E in the end, it will be because another one did not work.”
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Having associations with Mercedes, Fritz offered his view on the potential Wehrlein possesses.
“I came to know him as an extremely strong-willed driver, extremely focused. What still impresses me is how he deals with pressure,” he claimed.
“He knows no pressure, he can hide that and deal with difficult situations. Besides, he has a great driving talent. That’s undisputed.”