BANBURY, England - Manor Racing has selected German driver Pascal Wehrlein for the Formula One season, which starts next month at the Australian Grand Prix.

The 21-year-old Wehrlein is keen to fulfil his promise after impressing in testing as a reserve driver with Mercedes, behind the dominant pair of world champion Lewis Hamilton and runner-up Nico Rosberg.

The team said in a statement on Wednesday that Wehrlein will try out Manor's MRTO5 car at pre-season testing in Barcelona later this month and again in early March.

Wehrlein, the reigning champion in the German Touring Car racing category, said "it will be a tough challenge but I think we should be able to challenge for points."

Manor has yet to name its second driver, likely to be American Alexander Rossi or Indonesian Rio Haryanto.