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Sauber back Ericsson after upturn in form

18:40, 29 Aug 2018

byAdam Newton

Sauber boss Frederic Vasseur has denied rumours that Stoffel Vandoorne is being lined up to drive for Sauber next season, reiterating his happiness at his current driver pairing.

Vasseur has also praised Marcus Ericsson, who has improved greatly this season after being faced by the challenge of talented youngster Charles Leclerc.

The Swede has scored in three of the last five races, taking his tally to six for the season. Despite this good form, Ericsson still trails Leclerc by seven points, although eight of the Monegasque’s 13 points were scored in Azerbaijan.

Vasseur said: “He is doing very well.

“The best way to keep your spot is to drive well and he is certainly working on that.”

Unlike Ericsson, Vandoorne is not experiencing a good time in the sport right now, failing to score in the last nine races.

There has been plenty of rumours flying around that McLaren are looking to replace the Belgian driver for next season, with a potential team mate for the incoming Carlos Sainz being F2 star Lando Norris, with Vandoorne taking the seat of the supposed Ferrari-bound Leclerc.

However, Vasseur denies these rumours, saying: "Vandoorne does not appear in our discussions about who will drive for our team in 2019.

And to be honest, we are only in the middle of the season, maybe there is some nervousness in the drivers' market.”