Wolff expecting Wehrlein to be back in Bahrain

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says that all signs are pointing towards a return to action of Pascal Wehrlein next weekend in Bahrain.

After missing the season-opening F1 round in Melbourne, the Sauber driver and Mercedes protégé was once again missing from the grid in Shanghai, perhaps much to the Swiss outfit's chagrin as replacement Antonio Giovinazzi crashed heavily twice in China!

Wehrlein remained in Europe last week, upgrading his fitness after a back injury sustained earlier this year in the Race of Champions.

More apologies from Giovinazzi after Shanghai race smash

In China, Wolff denied raging speculation the 22-year-old is actually caught up in a political dispute involving Sauber's engine supplier Ferrari.

"Pascal is training and doing weights, preparing himself as much as possible for Bahrain," Wolff, told the DPA news agency.

"I am only hearing good things about it -- that he is feeling better and stronger. At the moment, everything is pointing at him sitting in the car in Bahrain."

Should the German driver once again fail to return to work, Giovinazzi will likely get a third chance to race with Sauber, but there probably won't be a fourth if he suffers another costly crash.

GALLERY: All the pictures from Sunday in Shanghai

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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.