Sauber have reportedly decided to drop Pascal Wehrlein from their 2018 driver lineup.

Earlier, amid rumours that the Swiss team wanted to keep at least one of their existing drivers next year, it appeared that it could be Marcus Ericsson that is shown the door.

However, the Swede has strong ties to Sauber's new owners, and Blick newspaper now claims that Ericsson is indeed definitely staying in 2018.

The 27-year-old looks set to be joined by Monaco-born Charles Leclerc, a junior driver for Sauber's engine partner Ferrari and the new GP2 champion.

Roger Benoit, the well-connected Blick correspondent, claims that the announcement of Leclerc, 20, joining Ericsson at Sauber will be made "in November".

German Wehrlein's future is therefore clouded, with his Mercedes backing said to be running out and only an outside chance of a switch to Williams.

"I have no news yet on this side," the 23-year-old said last weekend in Mexico.

"But there are some discussions going on for next year and I hope we can fix something soon."

The 2017 championship continues next weekend with the Brazilian Grand Prix.