Wehrlein cleared to drive in second test

Pascal Wehrlein has been cleared to drive for Sauber in the second pre-season test after recovering from a back injury.

The German injured himself in a crash at the Race of Champions in January (pictured below), rolling his car at the end of a heat on the opening day in Miami. Having been ruled out of the second day of racing as a precautionary measure, it then transpired Wehrlein's injury was more serious than originally believed and he was forced to sit out the opening test on medical advice.

Antonio Giovinazzi drove in Wehrlein's place during the opening test, with the Ferrari third driver taking part on two of the four days, including the wet tire test for Pirelli on Thursday of last week.

RACER understands preliminary talks took place with a number of drivers about potentially replacing Wehrlein at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix if the injury required longer to heal. However, following further medical checks at the weekend Wehrlein has now been cleared to participate this week and Sauber announced via Twitter that he will be available to drive on the opening day of the second test.

"Update on Pascal Wehrlein: We are pleased to inform that Pascal will be ready to hit the track with the C36 tomorrow," the team announced.

Wehrlein has yet to drive for Sauber since joining the team over the winter from Manor, with his former team's hopes of returning to the grid being ended recently as its championship entry was withdrawn.