F1 News, Reports and Race Results

CONFIRMED: Wehrlein forced to skip first 2017 F1 test

New Sauber F1 driver Pascal Wehrlein has confirmed that he will have to skip 2017’s first pre-season test at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya following his accident at the Race of Champions last month in Miami.

The former DTM champion suffered a scary shunt when the open-top three-wheeler in which he was competing went into the safety barriers and flipped over at Marlins Park.

Wehrlein’s participation had grown increasingly uncertain in recent weeks with Sauber addressing reports last week by tweeting that medical examinations were still ongoing.

The 22-year-old German took to his own Twitter account on Friday to announce that he will have to miss the opening group session in Spain due to a back problem.

Sauber has yet to communicate on Wehrlein’s replacement but it is understood that Ferrari reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi will get the nod.

The first pre-season test will be held from February 27 to March 2 at the Spanish Grand Prix venue.

GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Mekies: ‘We all agree’ F1 must bring back flat-out qualifying

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has made it clear: Formula 1 must rediscover the…

14 hours ago

‘Rusty, me?’: Perez fires back at Andretti’s Cadillac claim

Sergio Perez isn’t taking lightly the suggestion that his return to Formula 1 with Cadillac…

15 hours ago

Formula 1’s heartfelt gift to new dad Fernando Alonso

While Aston Martin’s F1 car is currently giving Fernando Alonso some massive engine vibrations and…

17 hours ago

Hill says unhappy Verstappen ‘should stop and do something else’

For a driver who has spent years bending F1 to his will, Max Verstappen suddenly…

18 hours ago

‘He’s up against it’: Brundle fears Sainz facing career dead end in F1

For Carlos Sainz, what was meant to be a strong second season at Williams is…

19 hours ago

Alonso’s brutal verdict: ‘High-speed corners now charging stations’

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has delivered another withering verdict on Formula 1’s 2026 regulations…

21 hours ago