Sauber boss Frederic Vasseur insists the team will not opt to retain Marcus Ericsson rather than Pascal Wehrlein for the 2018 season merely because of the Swede’s financial backing.
Ericsson, who joined Sauber in 2015, is backed by the owners of the historically cash-strapped Swiss outfit, so is set to keep his drive.
The team’s renewed partnership with engine suppliers Ferrari has put the Scuderia’s young prodigy – runaway F2 leader Charles Leclerc – in pole position for the second seat.
Pascal Wehrlein, then, is widely expected to be ousted despite consistently out-performing Ericsson and scoring all five of the team’s points in 2017.
Vasseur, though, insists it will not be an entirely financial decision, meaning there is still hope for the German.
“It would be a mistake to build a team around a driver just because he has a connection to the owner,” he told Auto Motor und Sport.
“Rebuilding Sauber will require patience, while drivers normally want results in the next race.
“So if he wants to sit in a podium car next year, he will have a problem with Sauber. We will talk with the owners about what is best for Marcus and the team.”
“Pascal knows our situation, and I know his skills because we worked together in the DTM.
“If you want to rebuild a team, you need not only fast drivers, but those who are willing to work with the team and push it in the right direction.”
The team will hold discussions with Ferrari this week in a bid to finalise their line-up.
