Ericsson seeks answer to 'a million dollar question'

Sauber's Marcus Ericsson offers a predictable answer when asked where his team will line up on the Australian Grand Prix grid next weekend.

Most are predicting that the Swiss outfit will logically make up the rear of the field next Sunday, but the Swedish driver simply isn't sure.

"That's the million dollar question for all of us," he told Blick.

"Nobody has the answer. But the tests encouraged us, because Honda and Renault had their problems with reliability, even if we are far from where we want to go," he said.

Ericsson sees Sauber battling with a team which may not be too pleased to hear his prediction given its own target of fighting at the head of the mid-field.

"I think Haas is the closest to us, but forecasts are very difficult after only eight days of testing."

• Sauber will bring up the rear, says founder

Questioned about the 2017 season as a whole and where he would realistically hopes to be,  Ericsson discarded  performance-related predictions, and hoping instead for some finance -related good news from F1's new owners.

"The money should be distributed more equitably," said Ericsson.

"At the moment it's not fair, because for a good show, everybody is needed and the manufacturers come and go when they want."

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