It is widely believed that F2 champion Leclerc, who has been running FP1 sessions for the Swiss team, has already got the job – although some sources insist that a final decision has not been made, and that Giovinazzi remains in the frame.

Sauber is obliged under its new engine and gearbox deal with Ferrari to take one of the Maranello young drivers, and negotiations are ongoing for the team to take both Leclerc and Giovinazzi.

Ferrari has also not given up on the prospect of getting the Italian into Haas, despite Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen being confirmed.

If Sauber does take both Ferrari drivers, that will mean that there is no place for Marcus Ericsson, whose career has been financed by some of the investors who now own Sauber.

That explains why those owners now face a dilemma as they consider the long-term health of the team versus the future of their driver, having given Vasseur the authority to make the call.

"Quite soon," said Vasseur when asked about a decision. "We know where we are, it's not the first priority today to take a decision on our side. We have a lot things to do on the table, but drivers will arrive quite soon.

"The deadline will be a week before Barcelona [testing], but at one stage we will have to take a decision. But we are not in a rush. I'm not too worried about the market, and the other drivers.

"We are discussing with Ferrari for the driver, and I think we will get one. Step by step. First we need to take one, and we have to discuss about the first one, and then we will discuss about the second one."

Vasseur insisted that the owner's support of Ericsson does not guarantee the Swede a seat, as the team's future is considered as a bigger picture.

"You know that the investment in Sauber is a huge one, and you can't link the development of the company, with a driver's project – on both sides, because a driver has to develop his own project, and when you're a driver you want to get results next week, or at least max, say next year.

"When you are team you have a long-term view, and it's more a two or three years project. It's not easy to fit everything.

"Marcus is a good asset for the team, he's experienced in F1, and we have a very good collaboration. We will discuss with all the drivers. I think we have a couple of drivers in contact so far. I will take a decision quite soon."

Vasseur insisted that commercial considerations are not a priority.

"It won't be a financial decision at all. We have a long-term plan with Sauber, and we can't build up the team based on a choice just focussed on the budget. It would be a huge mistake."