Sauber considering Ferrari junior Leclerc as reserve driver

Sauber is eyeing Ferrari Driver Academy member Charles Leclerc as a its potential reserve driver for the 2017 season.

French hopeful and GP3 champion Leclerc enjoyed a bout of F1 experience last season, having taken part in four practice sessions with Haas last year.

While Antonio Giovinazzi was drafted in last week by Sauber to replace the then still-recovering Pascal Wehrlein, the Italian has already been named as Ferrari's back-up man.

Giovinazzi puts Ferrari at the top of his list

Wehrlein was back in action this morning with Sauber before Marcus Ericsson took over after the lunch break.

Leclerc will be graduating to GP2 this year, tackling the competitive series with prime Italian outfit Prema.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.