Source: Sauber F1 Team

F1 News

Sauber: Raikkonen took Ericsson's place, not Giovinazzi

Sauber: Raikkonen took Ericsson's place, not Giovinazzi

25-09-2018 14:55
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Nicolás Quarles van Ufford

Sauber team principal Fred Vasseur has revealed that it was Kimi Raikkonen who took the 2019 seat of Marcus Ericsson rather than Antonio Giovinazzi, as the Italian merely took the place of fellow Ferrari youth driver Charles Leclerc.

Ericsson is without a drive as it stands, as he'll finish his fourth season at Sauber at the end of this season. The Swede will remain at the team as reserve driver, but will not be on the starting grid in the coming year.

Ferrari have a deal with Sauber which allows the Italian team to choose one driver at Sauber per year, which was Charles Leclerc for this season. With the Monegasque rookie leaving for Ferrari at the end of this year, Ferrari opted to sign Giovinazzi at Sauber in Leclerc's place.

Raikkonen, who was part of the swap deal with Leclerc as he'll make the move from Ferrari to Sauber, essentially took Ericsson's seat.

“We are very pleased to reveal the complete driver line-up for the 2019 season," Vasseur said on Sauber's website.

We first signed Kimi Räikkönen, an extremely experienced driver who will contribute to the development of our car and will accelerate the progress of our team as a whole.

"Together with Alfa Romeo, we are delighted to welcome Antonio Giovinazzi, who will take the place of Charles Leclerc.

"We have already had the opportunity to work with him in the past and he has proven to have great potential.

"We are very determined and motivated.

"Our target is to continue progressing and fighting together for positions that count.”