Australian Grand Prix: Pascal Wehrlein pulls out declaring himself unfit after back injury in January

PASCAL WEHRLEIN has pulled out of the Australian Grand Prix after declaring himself unfit.

The 22 year-old suffered a back injury in a crash at the Race of Champions in January and insists he is not yet fully fit to last a race distance.

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The German, who drives for the Sauber F1 team, will be replaced by Ferrari third driver Antonio Giovinazzi.
He said: "My fitness level is not as it should be for a full race distance."

Team principal Monisha Kaltenborn added: "We have great respect of Pascal's openness and professionalism.

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"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."

Giovinazzi was the runner-up in the GP2 feeder series last year and replaced Wehrlein in the first preseason test in Barcelona.