Mercedes reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein will make his F1 race debut in 2016 after signing a deal with Marussia, who are set to compete as Manor Racing this season.

The highly regarded German, 21, graduates to F1 as the reigning DTM champion, and will drive the Banbury-based team’s Mercedes-powered MRT05 challenger.

“Manor Racing is a great place for me to start my Formula One racing career - I’m very pleased to be here,” said Wehrlein, who has taken part in eight official F1 tests since 2014.

“It’s a small and totally focused team and I soon hope to know everyone. Though it’s my first F1 season my aim is to help Stephen [Fitzpatrick, Manor Racing’s owner] and the guys achieve their goals. It will be a tough challenge but I think we should be able to challenge for points along the way. It’s going to be good fun.