All sides deny Wehrlein to Sauber reports

All sides have denied reports that Pascal Wehrlein’s next move in F1 is now a done deal.

Multiple authoritative sources had reported from Abu Dhabi that with Sauber losing the backing of Felipe Nasr’s sponsor Banco do Brasil, the Swiss team will definitely replace him with German Wehrlein.

But Wehrlein, who currently drives for Manor with Mercedes backing, insisted that the stories about a done deal were "fictitious".

And Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn said talks with Nasr, who it is understood still retains Banco do Brasil’s personal backing albeit in a diminished form, are still taking place.

"We have our options, we are looking at them and we know Felipe very well. We’re just going to continue our assessment and when we’re ready we’ll announce," she said.

Finally, Wolff said Mercedes is also still weighing up its options regarding Wehrlein’s future, with both Sauber and Manor in the reckoning.

"We are in discussion with Monisha and in discussion with (Manor owner) Stephen (Fitzpatrick) and nothing is decided yet," said the Mercedes team boss.