- First Barcelona Test - Day One
Force India and Mercedes can't be compared - Wehrlein
Pascal Wehrlein said it was an "amazing" experience to drive two different F1 cars in one track session at the opening day of this week's test in Barcelona.
Wehrlein was scheduled to drive for Force India on Thursday and completed 32 laps in the team's 2014 car before he was drafted in to replace an ill Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. The Mercedes development driver was on track in the championship-defending W06 in the afternoon, but was limited to 48 laps due to a fuel pump problem.
"For sure I was quite surprised when I got the information in the morning that I was to drive the Mercedes," he said. "But I think to drive two cars in one day was amazing and I was happy. Today was good, although I had a few problems in the afternoon and we lost a bit of time, so I had only three runs in the Mercedes car, which wasn't that much. But the time I had I enjoyed and also the time with the Force India."
He was reluctant to compare the Force India with the Mercedes, saying: "These are two different cars and the Force India was a 2014 car, so for sure it's different. The new Force India will be different, so it's really difficult to compare these two cars."
Nico Rosberg was not called up to replace Hamilton due to a neck strain, meaning Wehrlein could be called up for another day of testing on Friday.
"I think he's now a bit better," Wehrlein said of Rosberg. "Let's see, I'm here, so if something happens I can and will drive, but hopefully the race drivers can drive and get some practice in the new car."
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