Cape Town - Charles Leclerc is looking all set to join Sauber next season as he will take part in five FP1 sessions with the team before the end of the 2017 campaign.
Following Sauber's renewal of their partnership with Ferrari, Leclerc, a member of the Scuderia's Young Driver Academy, has been tipped to join the Swiss team at the expense of Pascal Wehrlein.
Leclerc has previously chosen not to take part in FP1 sessions so he gave focus on the F2 World Championship but, with a 59-point lead and just three race weekends remaining, the 19-year-old is now casting one eye to next season.
Leclerc will drive for Sauber in FP1 sessions at Malaysia, Austin, Mexico, Brazil and in the season finale at Abu Dhabi.