Sauber interested in Giovinazzi for third driver role

The Swiss team is keen to agree a deal for a third driver, particularly as Marcus Ericsson's teammate Pascal Wehrlein is still undergoing medical examinations after his accident during last month's Race of Champions.

With pre-season testing, which starts on February 27, and the season-opening Australian Grand Prix (March 26) fast approaching, Sauber wants to have a back-up in place in case Wehrlein does not recover in time.

At this stage, medical examinations are continuing with a decision on whether Wehrlein will drive in the first test expected in the next week.

The talks are complicated by the fact Giovinazzi, who drove an F1 car for the first time earlier this month when he tested Ferrari's 2015 car at Fiorano, is the Italian team's third driver.

He will be tasked with simulator duties for the Scuderia as well as completing F1's mandatory 2017 young driver testing for the squad, which this year will take place in Bahrain and Hungary.

Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn is having discussions with Ferrari counterpart Maurizio Arrivabene about making a deal for Giovinazzi work.

It is believed such a deal would have the scope to include Friday outings.

Given Sauber's links with Ferrari, which has involved the team take the Scuderia's engines since 2010, if Giovinazzi does not take up the role, it is believed Ferrari protege and GP3 champion Charles Leclerc is a possible candidate.

Meanwhile, it has emerged Haas is in talks with engine partner Ferrari with regards giving the Italian racer some time in the car this season.

"I can't say anything official yet, but we are discussing it," Haas team principal Gunther Steiner told Motorsport.com.