Sauber grants Fassler his F1 chance

The 25-year-old Swiss ace, who scored his maiden DTM victory for Mercedes-Benz at Oschersleben in May, will take up the offer from team boss Peter Sauber who promised him an F1 test when he won his first DTM event. Fassler will get behind the wheel of the C20 at Magny-Cours on September 5/6.

"It is every racing driver's dream to drive an F1 car," said Fassler. "Thanks to Peter Sauber and his team I will be able to realise that dream. What makes it even more special for me is that I will drive an F1 car designed and built in Switzerland."

Fassler's boss at Mercedes, Norbert Haug, has said he won't stand in the way of any of his young drivers wishing to further their careers in this way, even though Sauber is a rival to the Merc-powered McLaren team.

Team principal Peter Sauber said he was delighted to give the young Swiss driver a chance with his home F1 squad.

"Marcel and I have long had an agreement that we would give him a test in one of our Formula 1 cars when he secured his first victory in the DTM," said Sauber. "I am delighted to keep up our end of the bargain. He is an impressive young man with a big future."