Ericsson wants credit for Sauber revival

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Marcus Ericsson backs Charles Leclerc to 'kick ass' at Ferrari

Marcus Ericsson backs Charles Leclerc to 'kick ass' at Ferrari

Marcus Ericsson believes he has also played a part in Sauber’s revival this season, not just Ferrari-bound Charles Leclerc.

Sauber, boosted by a strengthened relationship with Ferrari this season, have secured their best points haul since 2013 when Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Gutierrez drove for the team.

With 42 points on the board and still one race to go to potentially add to that tally, Sauber have played their part in what has been a fiercely-contested midfield battle.

While rising star Leclerc has hogged the limelight throughout the season, the departing Ericsson thinks it has been a joint effort between him and Leclerc to get the team back up the standings.

“In Melbourne, we followed Williams along with the field,” Ericsson told Motorsport Total.

“After that, we’ve improved a lot, and I’ve got a stake in it, Charles and I worked hard with the team and tried to steer it in the right direction.”

Leclerc has bagged 33 points in his impressive rookie season, while Ericsson has currently equalled his best-ever points total in his Formula 1 career with nine to his name.

The Swede has not done enough to keep his seat with Sauber, who will have a new-look line-up with Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi in 2019.

Before he heads off to race in IndyCar, Ericsson wants to show the team one last time in Abu Dhabi what they are missing.

“I do not want to close the door to the premier class, but now I’m going to America,” Ericsson added.

At the end of the season, I want to prove to the team again why they will miss me.

“They [Scchmidt Peterson Motorsport] seem to be happy that I’m coming, and I’m looking forward to moving there.

“I have high expectations, and I want to use the feeling of winning there.”

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