Aug.26 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein used the summer break to sit his theory test for the C1 truck license category.
“I will take the practical part after the season,” the Manor driver is quoted by Speed Week, explaining that away from the track, he wants to drive vehicles that exceed 3.5 tonnes.
For now, his focus is on a new challenge — beating fellow Mercedes junior Esteban Ocon, the highly-rated replacement for the out-of-funds Rio Haryanto.
“It should be interesting,” Wehrlein said at Spa.
“But for me, it’s not such a big change. I always want to be the fastest, no matter who is in the other car.
“I will be ok with the pressure,” the young German told Bild newspaper. “I have never driven against him, but I’ve watched him and he’s fast. Together we will be a good reference for the team.”
Ocon himself has even bigger targets — beating his old foe Max Verstappen.
“It’s good to be back racing in the same class as Max,” Ocon, 19, said. In 2014, the pair were in European F3 and Ocon emerged as the champion.
“He is still my reference point that I hope for many more great fights with Max,” Ocon added.