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He has already been ruled out of the first pre-season test on medical grounds, but it is now being rumoured that Sauber driver Pascal Wehrlein's absence could extend to the second test or even the first Grand Prix of 2017 in Australia.
After a number of hospital examinations in the wake of his heavy Race of Champions accident last month, the German was ordered to miss the initial Barcelona test due to what he described on Twitter as a problem with his back.
"I have to skip the first winter test due to medical advice because of a back issue", he revealed to followers. "I feel sorry for the team but we'll come back stronger!"
Wehrlein is a new Sauber recruit, having signed for them after a year at Manor in 2016, but for the foreseeable future he is expected to be replaced by Antonio Giovinazzi, reserve driver for the Ferrari team. If this is the case, however, it is unknown whether Giovinazzi's services will be needed past the first test and into the second, or beyond that into the Australian Grand Prix.
Sauber has so far chosen not to comment on Wehrlein's condition, but it is nevertheless a point of much speculation among the media.
"Wehrlein could be missing for some time," said Michael Schmidt of Auto Motor und Sport. "Because his injury also prevents him from training his neck."
"The necessary neck training has intensified due to the markedly increased cornering speeds this year. And the longer Wehrlein is not training, the more muscle he has to build up."
Mason Hawker
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
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Replies (4)
Login to replymclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
Tough luck but hope he gets well soon. Sauber though will be mostly pants so it's not like he is going to miss out on much.
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
I'd like to see Gio race, but hope Wehrlein gets better soon
Kevin
Posts: 5,359
MotoGP drivers fall, break bones and are on track the day after. Wehrlein crashes at a moderate speed in january, misses testing and the first GP at the end of March. What a joke.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Nah wasn't impressed with Merc how they made him win in Germany. Think he might be overrated in the past; the Merc snub to put him in the prime seat said a lot. Hope that Gio impresses so the decision is even trickier to put Wehrlein in. Lovely side soap.