Tuesday 23 October 2012 10:48, UK
Sauber will run prospective 2013 race driver Esteban Gutierrez, along with newcomer Robin Frijns, in next month's young driver test in Abu Dhabi.
Should there be no announcements confirming Sauber's full 2013 race line-up before the November 6-8 test, Gutierrez's appearance at Yas Marina is likely to be billed as his final audition for a race seat. Two years ago Sauber took advantage of the test for inexperienced drivers to run the then incoming Perez in Abu Dhabi in their car for three days to get him acclimatised to F1 machinery and Pirelli tyres prior to the start of the following February's pre-season programme. Sauber have remained tight-lipped over their driver plans for 2013 in recent weeks but Sky Sports F1's Ted Kravitz suggested in Korea on Sunday night that confirmation of both Force India's Hulkenberg and Gutierrez was actually imminent. "We think Force India are about to lose Nico Hulkenberg to Sauber," Ted said his post-race video blog. "The open secret in the paddock this weekend is that Sauber will announce maybe as early as this week that Gutierrez, their Mexican long-time test driver and apprentice, will replace Kobayashi and that Perez's place as the senior driver will go to Hulkenberg. "I wouldn't be a surprise if they bench Kobayashi for the rest of the season and put in Gutierrez to give him some race time. He does have a super licence so it is possible - but probably not probable."
