IndyCar programme leads Ericsson to question Sauber reserve role

Marcus Ericsson slides into his car during his visit to the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports shop for his initial seat fit

The prospect of spending a season racing in IndyCar in 2019 has led Marcus Ericsson to question the usefulness of holding on to a reserve role with Sauber.

The Swede was informed by the Swiss outfit back in September that he would not be retained as a full-time driver for next season.

Ericsson was quick to put together a programme for 2019 however after Schmidt Petersen Motorsports offered him an IndyCar drive.

There will be nine date clashes next year between F1 and IndyCar, a schedule that will obviously limit the time Ericsson will be able to allocate to Sauber and F1.

"We need to still sit down after the season and discuss that because I made it very clear that I want to focus 100% on the racing programme for 2019 and with this IndyCar option I want to go all the way on that," said Ericsson, quoted by Motorsport.com.

"I'm still happy to keep a connection to the team but I need to sit and see exactly what I will do and not do and what my role will be.

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"But for sure my 110% focus needs to be on the IndyCar thing because otherwise there's no point going there.

"I don't see myself coming to that many races but let's see after the season when we discuss it," he added.

"But if I'm already in America, living there, racing there, I don't see myself coming every other weekend to an F1 race."

After a five-year residency and 97 races in F1, Ericsson admitted that last Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix may have been his swansong in F1 given his desire to establish himself in the US.

"It might very well be the last race ever for me in F1, but I don't want to close that door because you never know what will happen in the future," he said.

"I go to America fully committed to do well there and I see myself staying there for quite some time, but with that said you never know what happens in a couple of years.

"I'm closing this chapter for now and then we'll see in the future what happens."

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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.