Wehrlein back in the Sauber saddle for Bahrain!

©WRI2

Sauber has confirmed that Pascal Wehrlein will be back behind the wheel of his Sauber for this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix.

After a two race hiatus after pulling out of the Australian GP, Wehrlein will resume his duties and finally kick off his 2017 season.

The German driver did not travel to China last week, preferring to remain in Europe and focus on upgrading his fitness which had taken a hit following a crash earlier this year in the Race of Champions event in Miami.

"My back was extremely compressed in the crash and there were three small hairline fractures in the area of the thoracic vertebrae," the 22-year-old told TZ.

"A normal person could have resumed his job after a few days, but this is not the case with a professional athlete.

Wehrlein says that he is now all set and ready to go!

"After some special training in Salzburg, I feel ready now."

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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.