#AusGP: Sauber replace Wehrlein with Giovinazzi for F1 opener

Melbourne - Pascal Wehrlein withdrew Saturday from the Sauber team for this weekend's season-opening Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne citing a back problem.

The German said he did not feel fit enough for a complete race distance as he recovers from a pre-season crash in January which forced him to miss some testing at Barcelona.

Team not taking "unnecessary risks" 

He has been replaced by the team's third driver Antonio Giovinazzi, who is set to make his F1 debut in Sunday's Melbourne race.

#FP3 is about to start - with @Anto_Giovinazzi behind the wheel, replacing @PWehrlein #AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/pB7U4w6iUv

— Sauber F1 Team (@SauberF1Team) March 25, 2017

Wehrlein said: "My fitness level is not as it should be for a full race distance because of my training deficit.

"I explained the situation to the team last night. 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 said the Swiss outfit did not want to take any unnecessary risks ahead of the first race.

As it happened: Australian GP - 3rd Practice

Kaltenborn said: "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."

He added that Wehrlein planned to be ready for the second race of the year in China.