Ericsson makes Sauber switch

With his Caterham team not in the United States, many pondered why Marcus Ericsson was in Austin, Texas ahead of the race weekend.

With his team in administration and over 200 people threatened with losing their jobs the 24-year-old Swedish driver was said to want to stay amongst the paddock despite not racing.

It didn’t take long for the real story to come out as by Saturday it was announced that he had signed for Sauber for 2015.

?Fresh from a very turbulent week, I was suddenly given my best early Christmas present ever. The Sauber F1 Team has put its trust in me for 2015, and it makes me proud, as Sauber is known to be one of the best teams in developing young drivers. It will be a great challenge. I will give my very best to develop both as a driver, and to be part of the challenge to put the Sauber F1 Team back closer to the front where it belongs,’ said Ericsson to Sky Sports.

It leaves Sauber in a curious position.

Ericsson is of course a pay driver and will be bringing in much needed funds to the team.

However Esteban Gutierrez is believed to also provide significant funds to the team, whilst Adrian Sutil is contracted to Sauber beyond 2014.

Sauber themselves refused to comment on who would partner Ericsson, merely adding that ‘the second driver for the 2015 season will be announced at a later date.’

Whilst Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn also didn’t comment on the future of Gutierrez and Sutil: ?We are pleased to announce this cooperation [with Ericsson]. We have got to know Marcus as a highly motivated driver. He did not have an easy rookie season this year in Formula One, however, he kept calm and improved continuously, mainly in the last races. We are convinced that signing Marcus can give the team a fresh impetus,’