Sauber looking for reserve driver to fill in for Ericsson

Sauber is seeking a second reserve driver that will be available when Marcus Ericsson is not present at the circuit. The Swede was confirmed as the team's third driver in September, when it announced that Antonio Giovinazzi would partner Kimi Raikkonen in 2019.

Soon after the announcement, Ericsson validated that he signed a deal with Schmidt Peterson Motorsport to race with it in IndyCar next year. Sauber is now looking for a driver to fill in for Ericsson when the two racing series collide in 2019.

There are eight clashes between the F1 and IndyCar schedules next year, but also other weekends where it would make little sense for Ericsson to attend an F1 race just to be on standby. Former Sauber racer Pascal Wehrlein has been linked with the role.

"Honestly we never spoke about this," Vasseur told Autosport Brazil. "And if Wehrlein did the simulator role for Ferrari I think he would stay in the factory. OK, Monza and Monaco you can do it.

"The strategy for me would be alongside Marcus to try to invest more in a young one, to try to prepare for the future. It will be much more this philosophy than anything else. But now it's quite difficult to find someone with 40 [superlicence] points!"

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • Kean

    Posts: 692

    I read a longer version of this interview with Vasseur, and I got the distinct feeling he didn't want Wehrlein in the team. He's more interested in grooming a newbie but the super license points are a hurdle.

    • + 0
    • Nov 10 2018 - 20:51

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country FI
  • Date of b. Oct 17 1979 (46)
  • Place of b. Espoo, FI
  • Weight 62 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar