News coming out of Sauber suggests Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado is returning to the Hinwil based team to replace driver Pascal Wehrlein for the rest of the season.

German Wehrlein ‘sat out’ at the Australian Grand Prix, citing medical reasons for his choice. Ferrari’s reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi, duly stepped up in Melbourne and impressed many with his debut drive in F1.

Since last weekend, there have been numerous stories linking Giovinazzi to the Sauber seat permanently. This was denied by Sauber Principal Monisha Kaltenborn, and secondly by Ferrari themselves.

Sauber want someone with more experience as they try to challenge for points, and Ferrari want to develop Giovinazzi slowly stepping him up the works team for next season.

Step forth Pastor. Maldonado representatives were spotted in Hinwil, and it appears that a deal has been struck for the former Lotus, and Williams driver to make a sensational return to formula one. The deal is believed to be only for this season, with the option of a second year depending on performances. Pastor will once again bring significant sponsorship from his home country, which appears to be the defining factor in the deal.

Pascal in the meantime, will be ushered back to Mercedes with the possibility of a works drive with Renault materialising. Palmer is known to be under immense pressure, and it depends just how long Enstone chiefs will continue with him.