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Ericsson gives the skinny on why Wehrlein is four tenths faster

Marcus Ericsson has thrown his weight behind the reasons why Sauber team mate Pascal Wehrlein is generally faster than he is.

The Swede says there is a 10kg weight difference between himself and the German, a natural ballast which he estimates is worth four tenths of a second per lap!

Wehrlein leads Ericsson 9 to 4 in the intra-team qualifying battle while the former has scored five points so far this season against zero top ten finishes for the latter.

"We've been close, but he has good numbers on me, which I don't really like," Ericsson said.

"It's also been difficult for me with the weight disadvantage.

"At the beginning of the year it was a bit less but for the last four or five races it's been 10 kilos difference.

"That is a lot of lap time on every lap on every track - usually they say it's three or four tenths a lap with 10 kilos."

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Ericsson admits that keeping his weight under control is a never-ending battle and an inevitable by-product of his height.

"It makes it difficult. It's [Wehrlein’s pace] my benchmark and I need to beat him as much as I can.
"It's been a lot of years in F1 now where I've been in probably the worst car, and it's difficult then to show your skills, and that also makes it more difficult to get a better seat."

Ericsson's prospects don't look set to improve anytime soon. Indeed, he may even struggle to remain at Sauber despite his close relationship with the Swiss outfit's owners.

The team has renewed its engine supply agreement with Ferrari who may channel its young talent through Hinwil, to Ericsson's detriment.

Contact was recently initiated with Williams, but chances of his joining the Grove-based outfit are remote.

"Williams is looking less likely for me and Sauber is probably the strongest option at the moment,” Ericsson confirmed.

"There are always people trying to take your seat and there always will be.

"We've been looking around a bit at different seats, which I think everyone that doesn't have a contract for next year has to do.

"At the moment nothing is done. My management is working hard on it and we see there are some options."

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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.