Pascal Wehrlein confirmed for Mercedes DTM return in 2018

Pascal Wehrlein will return to the DTM championship with Mercedes in 2018 for the German manufacturer's final year in the series, having lost his Sauber Formula 1 drive at the end of last season.

Wehrlein won the DTM title in 2015 with Mercedes before moving into F1 for the following season with Manor, and then ultimately moved on to Sauber for 2017.

The German led Sauber's charge throughout last season, but was dropped following the team's link-up with Ferrari for 2018, making way for Charles Leclerc to partner Marcus Ericsson.

Mercedes announced on Wednesday that Wehrlein would be returning to DTM for 2018, featuring in its six-driver line-up alongside Gary Paffett, Paul di Resta, Lucas Auer and Edoardo Mortara, with Maro Engel having departed from the team.

“I’ve got some terrific memories of the DTM, not least because of my title win in 2015, but also because of the strong team spirit and the many amazing experiences I’ve had with the guys,” said Wehrlein.

“I’ve followed the DTM closely during my time in Formula 1 and have even been to a couple of races to see the team and support them. A lot has changed in since my last race in the season finale at Hockenheim back in 2015, but I like a challenge and can hardly wait to try out our new car on track for the first time.

"The first tests can’t come soon enough for me.”

Mercedes confirmed last July it would quit racing in DTM at the end of 2018 in order to focus on an entry into Formula E for the series' sixth season, starting in the winter of 2019.