Pascal Wehrlein apparently didn't get the green light from the faculty to test next week in Barcelona and will be replaced by Antonio Giovinazzi.
The German sustained a back injury in last month's Race of Champions event in Miami. While he emerged from the spectacular barrel-roll crash unscathed, as a measure of caution he has been ordered further rest.
"We took the decision that Pascal will not be driving in the first test in Barcelona. We will monitor his medical progress and will then decide on the next steps,” says Monisha Kaltenborn, Team Principal of the Sauber F1 Team.
"It is a pity that I cannot be in the car during the first test days," Wehrlein commented.
"But I will be in Barcelona in order to get familiar with the team’s procedures and also to follow the Sauber C36-Ferrari on track."
Ferrari reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi will thus replace Pascal Wehrlein for the first in-season test week.
"I thank the Sauber F1 Team for making this real, and also Ferrari for allowing me to replace Pascal for test one in Barcelona."
GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
