Antonio Giovinazzi to replace Pascal Wehrlein in opening test for Sauber

24 February 2017 05:09

Italian Antonio Giovinazzi will replace injured Sauber driver Pascal Wehrlein for the opening winter test in Barcelona next week.

Wehrlein, the 22-year-old German, has been sidelined with a back injury he sustained following a spectacular crash at the Race of Champions exhibition event in Miami last month.

And his Sauber team confirmed on Friday that Ferrari reserve driver Giovinazzi would take his place in Spain.

"I thank the Sauber F1 Team for making this real, and also Ferrari for allowing me to replace Pascal for test one in Barcelona," Giovinazzi, 23, said.

Wehrlein, a member of the Mercedes young driver programme, was overlooked for the vacant seat alongside Lewis Hamilton following Nico Rosberg's retirement.

He subsequently moved to Sauber from the now defunct Manor team.

Wehrlein added: "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."

The opening of two pre-season tests kicks off at the Circuit de Catalunya on Monday. Melbourne's Albert Park plays host to the curtain raiser of March 26.

Source: PA