Mercedes Formula 1 junior driver Pascal Wehrlein is bidding to become the youngest ever champion in the history of the DTM - Germany’s premier touring car series - this weekend at Hockenheim’s season finale.
Wehrlein, 20, currently balances his reserve role at world champions Mercedes with driving for the German marque’s DTM team, and can wrap up the drivers’ championship this weekend in the final two races of the year.
With just 50 points left to play for, Wehrlein leads the championship standings by 37 points from closest-rival Edoardo Mortara. Mattias Ekstrom and Bruno Spengler also remain in contention, lying 38 and 46 points back respectively.
Despite being the overwhelming favourite, Wehrlein is remaining cool about his chances and is instead focusing on impressing for Mercedes.
“We’re already approaching the final weekend at Hockenheim,” Wehrlein said. “On the one hand, it’s sad to see the season coming to an end.
“But on the other hand, I am very happy with how the year has gone so far and that I’m in a good position in the title chase.
“Consequently, I’m looking forward to the last two races of the season in front of my friends, my family and the many fans in the Mercedes grandstand.”
Winning the title will do Wehrlein’s chances of securing an F1 seat in 2016 a world of good, with a role at Manor being mooted thanks to Mercedes’ new technical partnership with the backmarker team.
In other F1-DTM crossover news, Nico Rosberg will be on-site in Hockenheim to watch the season finale before heading to Austin, Texas for next weekend’s United States Grand Prix.