Marcus Ericsson believes he will remain as part of the Sauber F1 Team set-up in 2017 despite keeping his options open regarding his Formula 1 future.
The Swedish driver has been with the Swiss team for the past two seasons but has endured a tough 2016, but has shown in recent races a good turn of speed, and finished a seasons-best eleventh last time out at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Ericsson has been linked to the vacant seat at the Sahara Force India F1 Team with Nico Hülkenberg departing to join the Renault Sport Formula 1 Team in 2017, but although the Swede admits talks have taken place, Sauber is his most likely team for next season.
“I think it’s most likely I would stay,” said Ericsson on Motorsport.com. “But still I don’t want to rule out the other seats that are open, because, as I said for a while, I feel that I really developed as a driver, became a much better driver over the last year and a half.
“I want to show that, I want to be in a car where I can show that. Maybe that can be Sauber next year, but also there are some seats there, if there’s opportunity, we need to be there and see what options there are.”
Ericsson is hopeful a decision on his future can be reached before the end of the season rather than waiting for the off-season to begin.
“You always want it done as soon as possible as a driver, but still there’s no rush in the same way,” said Ericsson. “Hopefully, before Abu Dhabi, it would be nice to know – to go into the winter knowing what you have to do for next year.”
