The Sauber F1 Team has officially booked Antonio Giovinazzi to sit in for Pascal Wehrlein in the first pre-season test next week. The newly signed Sauber driver has been sidelined for medical reasons.
The news comes following Wehrlein’s massive airborne accident during the Race of Champions event in Miami last month. While racing in the event against Felipe Massa, Wehrlein lost control of his Polaris Slingshot just after crossing the line. Wehrlein emerged from the accident seemingly unharmed, although he later experienced back problems which warranted medical examinations.
It’s possible that Wehrlein could also miss the second pre-season test, but the team will continue to monitor his condition and make that decision at a later date. “We took the decision that Pascal will not be driving in the first test in Barcelona,” explained Monisha Kaltenborn, the Team Principal of the Sauber F1 Team. “We will monitor his medical progress and will then decide on the next steps.”
Sauber has booked Ferrari’s test driver, Antonio Giovinazzi, for the first test of the 2017 season. The Italian driver was already planning to attend testing in case he was needed by Ferrari. The first pre-season test in Barcelona will be Giovinazzi’s first outing in the 2017-spec Formula One cars, having only driven a 2015 Ferrari at the team’s private test track.
The first test is vital for new drivers to get adjusted to the team members and the new car. Although Wehrlein won’t be behind the wheel of the new car, he will be seen around the team garage. “It is a pity that I cannot be in the car during the first test days, 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,” said Wehrlein.
Pre-season testing begins on Monday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain.
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