Sauber - Ferrari Deal Looks Bad for Wehrlein

[cosworth151]

 Sauber's new engine deal with Ferrari might cost Pascal Wehrlein his ride. Speculation is that part of the deal will be Sauber taking either Antonio Giovinazzi or Charles Leclerc. Both are Ferrari development drivers.

Sauber management clearly favors Marcus Ericsson. This is in spite of the fact that Wehrlein has scored all of the teams points this season and has out qualified his team mate 8 to 2.

I hope that Pascal can find a ride somewhere in F1. I think he rates one.

http://autoweek.com/article/formula-one/ferrari-sauber-agreement-makes-f1-exit-likely-pascal-wehrlein

[Jericoke]

Sauber's new engine deal with Ferrari might cost Pascal Wehrlein his ride. Speculation is that part of the deal will be Sauber taking either Antonio Giovinazzi or Charles Leclerc. Both are Ferrari development drivers.

Sauber management clearly favors Marcus Ericsson. This is in spite of the fact that Wehrlein has scored all of the teams points this season and has out qualified his team mate 8 to 2.

I hope that Pascal can find a ride somewhere in F1. I think he rates one.

http://autoweek.com/article/formula-one/ferrari-sauber-agreement-makes-f1-exit-likely-pascal-wehrlein

It is a shame that there's not enough room in F1 for all the drivers who 'deserve' it.  How many potential champions put in one season with a weak team and then lose their spot to a pay driver, or a 'political appointee' that someone has invested in?

All the same, the drivers know what they're getting into when they set their sights on F1, and even getting one year at the top is something special.

[Scott]

I don't know why Sauber is so focused on Ericsson over Wehrlein.  Clearly even with the possibility of new Ferrari engines, they don't really want to win, just show up.  That won't help attract sponsorship.

Sauber need money.  They can either take it from a pay driver up front, or they can invest in a faster driver bringing less money and eventually attract better sponsorship  by climbing a bit up the championship ladder and perhaps having more thrilling racing.  I would choose the latter (ladder), but I guess they aren't.

[Alianora La Canta]

I don't know why Sauber is so focused on Ericsson over Wehrlein.  Clearly even with the possibility of new Ferrari engines, they don't really want to win, just show up.  That won't help attract sponsorship.

Sauber need money.  They can either take it from a pay driver up front, or they can invest in a faster driver bringing less money and eventually attract better sponsorship  by climbing a bit up the championship ladder and perhaps having more thrilling racing.  I would choose the latter (ladder), but I guess they aren't.

Because Ericsson is the nearest thing Longbow has to a representative. It's a form of nepotism really. I don't think he's good enough either. However, it keeps Longbow interested, which is more money than Sauber will get from any other source.

[John S]

I don't know why Sauber is so focused on Ericsson over Wehrlein.  Clearly even with the possibility of new Ferrari engines, they don't really want to win, just show up.  That won't help attract sponsorship.

Sauber need money.  They can either take it from a pay driver up front, or they can invest in a faster driver bringing less money and eventually attract better sponsorship  by climbing a bit up the championship ladder and perhaps having more thrilling racing.  I would choose the latter (ladder), but I guess they aren't.

Of course Pascal is at Sauber just because of talent.
F1 has always been a money pit, don't see that  ending anytime soon. Former world champs owe their title to being in the right car, often by luck but more likely by money backing or politics - national, international or within the sport.  How else can you explain Nando's years in the wilderness.

I suggest Toto will decide if Pascal stays on the grid not Ferrari

[Scott]

Of course Pascal is at Sauber just because of talent.
F1 has always been a money pit, don't see that  ending anytime soon. Former world champs owe their title to being in the right car, often by luck but more likely by money backing or politics - national, international or within the sport.  How else can you explain Nando's years in the wilderness.

I suggest Toto will decide if Pascal stays on the grid not Ferrari

I know Wehrlein is tied to Mercedes, and since they have chosen Ferrari's, they don't need him to sign the deal.  But I still think Merc would probably throw SOME cash their way to keep him in a race seat earning experience.  The question is should Longbow blindly force Sauber to retain the slower driver or pull their sponsorship?  I would think clearer heads would choose Wehrlein.

[Jericoke]

Maybe there's more to Pascal stopping to pick up Vettel than meets the eye.

After all, he got to HOLD the tippy top secret Ferrari steering wheel that Vettel risked a penalty to hide from prying eyes...