Pascal Wehrlein to return for Sauber in Bahrain

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Pascal Wehrlein suffered a back injury at January's Race of Champions exhibition
Werhlein was ruled out of the opening test in Barcelona on medical grounds
He was set to start the campaign in Australia after passing an FIA fitness test
But he controversially withdrew from the season opener, citing a lack of fitness
The 22-year-old driver subsequently missed last week's race in China

By Philip Duncan, Press Association Sport F1 Correspondent

Published: 12:57 EDT, 11 April 2017 | Updated: 13:02 EDT, 11 April 2017

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German driver Pascal Wehrlein will return for Sauber in Bahrain after missing the opening two races through a lack of fitness.

The 22-year-old suffered a back injury at January's Race of Champions exhibition event in Miami following a spectacular crash.

He was ruled out of the opening test in Barcelona on medical grounds, but returned for the concluding one and was set to start the campaign as usual in Australia last month after passing an FIA fitness test.

Pascal Wehrlein picked up a back injury at January's Race of Champions exhibition in Miami

The 22-year-old driver will return to action in Bahrain following the crash (pictured)

But the Mercedes young driver programme member controversially withdrew from the season opener - citing a lack of fitness - hours before qualifying and subsequently missed last week's race in China, too.

His Sauber team however, have tweeted to confirm he will be in the cockpit this week.

'Good news, we are pleased to inform that Pascal Wehrlein will be back in the car as of the Bahrain Grand Prix,' the Swiss team wrote.

Italian Antonio Giovinazzi impressed after steeping in for Wehrlein at the 11th hour in Melbourne.

But he was brought back down to earth after he crashed his Sauber, first in qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix, and then in the race, last weekend.