Sauber opt to drop Wehrlein for 2018 – report

Sauber have decided to drop Pascal Wehrlein at the end of the season so F2 champion and Ferrari reserve Charles Leclerc can join the team.

According to the well-respected Blick reporter Roger Benoit, Sauber will head into next season with Marcus Ericsson and Leclerc, meaning Wehrlein and another Ferrari hopeful in Antonio Giovinazzi would be left without a seat.

Ericcson has yet to score a World Championship point this season, but the Swede's backers are the same as those who pump cash into the Sauber F1 team and has reportedly been retained for predominantly that reason.

Sauber's renewed relationship with Ferrari, once the engine deal with Honda was cancelled, has allowed the opportunity for the Scuderia to use the Swiss team as a feeder to help blood their youngsters into Formula 1.

Leclerc has been given plenty of FP1 outings at Sauber in preparation for a full-time role with the team and Blick believe the announcement of Leclerc and Ericsson will be made in November.

Wehrlein is considered an outsider for a seat at Williams, who are also yet to reveal their 2018 line-up, but the German could be forced back into DTM with Mercedes before the Silver Arrows leave the series at the end of next year.