26/10/2016
NEWS STORY
Marcus Ericsson joins growing number of drivers eyeing Force India seat following Nico Hulkenberg's departure.
As the titanic battle between Force India and Williams for fourth in the constructors' standings continues, it's interesting to note that it is the Silverstone-based outfit that appears to be the top destination for drivers in 2017.
As Esteban Ocon, Jolyon Palmer, Felipe Nasr and Pascal Wehrlein eye the seat alongside Sergio Perez, Sauber's Marcus Ericsson has reportedly thrown his cap in the ring.
"It does open up another possibility, it's a good seat," he told Autosport.
"I still think it's most likely I'll stay with Sauber," he admitted, "but like I've said, I want to be in the best team possible, and Force India seem to be really strong at the moment. It's a great midfield car, and that's what I need for next year.
"We are looking at it," he confirmed. "It would be stupid not to because we haven't signed a contract for next year, and now with the Force India seat opened up, we need to see what possibilities are there."
While it is understood that the team is no longer considering Wehrlein, the German having done himself no favours on Saturday morning when he blatantly disregarded team instructions, one should not forget that Esteban might yet find himself surplus to requirements at Haas, the Mexican surely a hot prospect for Force India considering its ties to the country.
While Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn insists there is no pressure to confirm her team's line-up, it is widely thought that Ericsson's close ties to the Swiss outfit's new owners, Longbow Finance, will keep him in the job for at least another year.