It has been announced that the Ferrari team has employed the services of Pascal Wehrlein as development driver for the 2019 season.

The role was filled by Daniil Kvyat and Antonio Giovinazzi in 2018 to great effect. However, with Kvyat returning to Toro Rosso for 2019 and Giovinazzi set to make his debut for Alfa Romeo Sauber it leaves Ferrari with an important vacancy.

Wehrlein has previously been in the thick of the F1 action with stints at both Manor, in 2016, and Sauber, in 2017. Wehrlein scored one point at the Austrian grand prix for Manor in 2016 before making the move to Sauber the following season. He was replaced by Giovinazzi for the first two races of 2017 after suffering an injury at the Race of Champions. He managed to score five points for Sauber in a generally unimpressive showing. During this time the German was under contract as a Mercedes driver however this agreement was not renewed at the conclusion of 2018.

In addition to his role at Ferrari Wehrlein is also committed to the Formula E series with the Mahindra team for 2019.