Wehrlein confirms his F1 dream will begin with Manor

Reigning DTM champion Pascal Wehrlein has confirmed reports he will make his Formula 1 debut with Manor in 2016.

Earlier, the major German newspaper Bild reported that the deal between the Mercedes junior and the newly Mercedes-powered backmarker team is now done.

The 21-year-old German, Mercedes reserve confirmed to Sport Bild: "Toto Wolff has helped me a lot, for which I am very, very grateful."

"A dream has now been fulfilled. Ever since attending my first grand prix at the age of six, I wanted to become a Formula 1 driver," Wehrlein added.

The report tipped Wehrlein to choose 94 as his permanent F1 race number -- the year of his birth, and the number he carried to his DTM triumph in 2015.

According to former F1 driver and now German television pundit Christian Danner, it is good news.

"From a talent perspective, Pascal has already proved that he belongs in formula one. Now he must show it to all of the German fans," he said.