©WRI2
Sauber is expected to drop Pascal Wehrlein from its 2018 driver lineup and keep Marcus Ericsson on board next season.
Recent reports suggested the Swiss outfit, managed by Fred Vasseur, was eager to keep the Mercedes protégé rather than Ericsson.
But the Swede's close relationship with the team's owners, Longbow Finance, could in fact guarantee an extension of his contract with Sauber, according to Blick newspaper and its F1 correspondent Roger Benoit.
Marcus Ericsson looks set to be joined by Ferrari junior Charles Leclerc whose graduation to the big time following his crushing success in F2 would only be logical.
Benoit believes Sauber's deal with the 20-year-old Monegasque should be made "in November".
Is for Werhlein, his future looks clouded, with his Mercedes backing said to be running out and only an outside chance of a switch to Williams.
"I have no news yet on this side," the 23-year-old said last weekend in Mexico.
"But there are some discussions going on for next year and I hope we can fix something soon."
Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Fresh from pre-season testing and with a world title now stitched onto his racing overalls,…
On this day in 1979, Jacques Laffite won the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos as…
George Russell is not hiding his appetite for a showdown this season in F1. In…
Williams may have missed the first public glimpse of Formula 1’s bold new era, but…
Mercedes technical director James Allison arrived in Barcelona last week bracing for chaos – and…
Max Verstappen has made one thing crystal clear about life after Formula 1: don’t expect…