Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsSauber

Ericsson 'can't wait' for start of 2017 season

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Sauber's Marcus Ericsson admits that he can't wait to get the new Formula 1 world championship underway.

Ericsson has been kept busy training for the start of the new season. But with actual time in the car limited to the two pre-season tests in Spain, he's keen to get back in action for real.

"I can’t wait to finally kick off the 2017 Formula 1 season in Australia," said the Swede.

"After challenging pre-season testing with a lot of data collection and preparation, I am going to Melbourne with a positive mindset."

All the teams are grappling with new tyre and downforce regulations which leaves them heading into the unknown in the first Grand Prix of the year.

Video: Take a 360° lap around the Circuit de Catalunya with Marcus Ericsson

"We have to see how things work out during the first race weekend with the new car," he said. "The Albert Park circuit is a bit tricky with a mix of permanent race track and a street circuit.

"I think it is going to be a challenge to find the right set-up, but I am confident we will get this done.”

Like most of the drivers on the grid, Ericsson happy to be starting the season down under and is a big fan of the venue.

“I like Melbourne a lot as it is a fantastic place," he said. "The fans and the atmosphere there are just great

"I always enjoy being downtown in Melbourne and on the circuit at Albert Park."

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.