Juncadella plays down Mercedes reserve driver chances

Spanish and German media sources said last week that the reigning European F3 champion - a 21-year-old Spaniard - looked set to combine his new DTM role with a role as third driver for Mercedes' Brackley based team.

Juncadella admitted to Spain's AS newspaper that he heard the very same rumours.

But he said: "You have to remember that I have never sat in the (2013 Mercedes) car and so far have done only one formula one test for Ferrari.

"So now I can replace Hamilton in an emergency?" he asked rhetorically.

Juncadella confirmed, however, that his management is in talks with Mercedes about a F1 role.

"I can imagine combining DTM with some tasks in the formula one team, perhaps as a development driver, but not the third driver," he insisted.

"This would help me a lot," he added.