Wehrlein not exploring 2018 options outside of F1 yet

Pascal Wehrlein is not yet considering racing options outside of Formula 1 for the 2018 season despite uncertainty surrounding his future in the sport, but hopes to have his plans resolved sooner rather than later.

Mercedes junior Wehrlein was placed at Sauber for 2017 after racing with Manor last year, but looks set to depart the team thanks to its strengthened partnership with Ferrari and likely arrival of Charles Leclerc for next season.

The sole remaining option for Wehrlein to remain in F1 appears to lay at Williams, who is considering a number of options for a teammate for Lance Stroll next year, but no decision is expected from the team before the end of the season.

"[There is] no news yet on this side, but I there are soon discussions going on for next year, and I hope we can fix something new," Wehrlein said on Thursday in Mexico.

"I have no deadline. The last two years, it was always quite late.

"I just hope we can find something and sign a contract for next year. I would be happy."

Should he fail to remain in F1, Wehrlein has been linked with a return to Mercedes' DTM squad with whom he won the title in 2015, but the German said: "I’m not looking outside [F1] yet."

Wehrlein had been a second option for Mercedes in 2017 had Valtteri Bottas not signed in place of Nico Rosberg, and is competing with fellow junior Esteban Ocon to move up the ladder and secure a full-time seat with the constructors' champion team in the future.

News emerged last week that Max Verstappen had signed a new long-term deal with Red Bull, ruling him out of a future Mercedes drive, possibly improving Wehrlein's chances of a factory drive in the future.

Wehrlein batted away the suggestion, though, saying: "In my case, we need to fix next year first and then think about 2019."