By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief
Sauber F1 Team has announced that Antonio Giovinazzi will replace Pascal Wehrlein for the upcoming preseason test set for next week at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Wehrlein is still recovering from a back injury sustained in a heavy crash at the Race of Champions in January and decided to sit out the opening week of testing after medical advice.
Giovinazzi, a reserve driver for Ferrari, will split the first four days with fellow Sauber driver Marcus Ericsson.
“We took the decision that Pascal will not be driving in the first test in Barcelona. We will monitor his medical progress and will then decide on the next steps,” says Monisha Kaltenborn, Team Principal of the Sauber F1 Team.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances that leave him out of the car, Wehrlein will still be at the test to understand how his new team operates.
“It is a pity that I cannot be in the car during the first test days,” said Wehrlein, “but I will be in Barcelona in order to get familiar with the team’s procedures and also to follow the Sauber C36-Ferrari on track.”
