TRAINING DEFICIT
Sauber withdrew Pascal Wehrlein from the Australian Grand Prix due to fitness concerns and replaced him with Antonio Giovinazzi , the Swiss team announced on Saturday morning .
The German injured his back in a crash at the Race of Champions in Miami in January and was replaced by Giovinazzi for the first winter test in Barcelona .
Wehrlein returned for the second test and was cleared this week to drive in the season-opening race at Albert Park but withdrew before FP3 on Saturday .
“ My fitness level is not as it should be for a full race distance because of my training deficit ,” Wehrlein said in a team statement .
“ I explained the situation to the team [ on Friday ] evening . Therefore , the Sauber F1 Team has decided not to take any risks . It is a pity , but the best decision for the team .
Team principal Monisha Kaltenborn insisted Wehrlein will be back in the car in China , adding : “ We have great respect of Pascal ’ s openness and professionalism . This decision was definitely not an easy one for him , it underlines his qualities as a team player .
“ The focus is now on his fitness level , and in such a situation we do not take any unnecessary risks . Pascal will be in China as planned .”