F1 | Alfa Romeo Sauber, Ericsson on 2019: "Difficult to accept, but I understand the team's reasons"

Marcus Ericsson after five seasons in Formula 1, one with Caterham and four with Sauber will be forced to leave the Circus to make room for Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi. The Swede has certainly achieved his best results this season, thanks also to a finally competitive car. Ericsson arrived in the Hinwil team in 2015 and spent three championships always in the bottom of the rankings. This year, however, thanks also to his contribution, the team managed to make a big leap forward and is now in eighth position in the constructors' championship with a three-point advantage over Toro Rosso.

“It was hard to accept – Ericsson said – because I thought I would stay, but I also understand the team's reasons, with a driver like Kimi free and the other place occupied (by Ferrari, ed.). It's impossible not to take the opportunity to have Raikkonen in the team, so the reasons are clear, even if I'm a bit disappointed for myself and my career. It's as if I've always been here: I worked hard for the team in dark times, the car was often at the back of the grid and a lot of people left the team, but I did everything I could to turn the situation around, always remaining positive and without ever blaming the team. It hurts a bit because I won't be able to drive a finally competitive car with a team behind me that is growing more and more, but this is what Formula 1 is all about too.".

On the adventure in IndyCar with SPM, all the cards are in order for Ericosson to be able to fight for the top positions: “Just the thought of racing and knowing I can win excites me, I missed all of that. For my entire career, before arriving in Formula 1 I always tried to win every race, while since I joined the Circus this thought hasn't even crossed my mind. So I'm excited about this, I could show up to the first race knowing I can win, obviously we'll have to do a good job."