Share this article on LinkedIn Email

Sauber's Pascal Wehrlein is set to take part in the second Formula 1 pre-season test after making good progress in his recovery from a back injury, Autosport understands.

Wehrlein was injured in an accident during last month's Race of Champions event and has since undergone several medical examinations.

Tests revealed a back injury, which ruled him out of this week's opening pre-season F1 test at Barcelona and doing any driving at Sauber's filming day last week.

Sauber is running Ferrari reserve Antonio Giovinazzi in place of Wehrlein this week, with the Italian sharing testing duties with race driver Marcus Ericsson.

Medical tests are continuing but it is believed Wehrlein's discomfort has eased significantly and he is expected to be fit for next week's test, which starts on March 7.

Sauber is set to make a final decision on the 22-year-old's availability by the end of the week, with Giovinazzi on standby if required again.

Wehrlein will be at Barcelona this week to spend time getting familiar with the team's procedures as well as monitoring the C36's on-track progress.