Mercedes has appointed DTM race winner Pascal Wehrlein as its Formula 1 reserve driver.
Just a day after Wehrlein became the DTM's youngest ever race winner, Mercedes has decided that in the event either Lewis Hamilton or Nico Rosberg cannot race, the 19-year-old German will fill in for them.
He has done valuable simulator work with Mercedes all season and last week completed a 500km test in a 2012 F1 car at Portimao.
Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff said: "Aside from Nico and Lewis, he is the driver most familiar with all the procedures of our F1 W05 Hybrid and therefore the right choice for the role of reserve driver.
"He took an important step last week when he drove a Formula 1 car for the first time - and we were pleased to see him deliver a composed and impressive test, in line with our expectations."
Wehrlein, who finished runner-up in the 2012 F3 Euro Series, will travel with the F1 team to the remaining flyaway races in case he is needed.
"It is a nice recognition of my efforts that I have been nominated as reserve driver," he said.
"For me, it's a dream come true to have completed this test and now to take on my new role.
"All my life, I have worked hard to get the opportunity to drive an F1 car. And it was always my goal to do it with Mercedes-Benz."
The sound of these cars is incredible, and they had the older 70's, 80's ones on the track as well.
