The Swede joined Sauber from Caterham at the end of 2014 and scored nine points in his first season with the team. This year Ericsson is yet to score – with Sauber’s first two points coming courtesy of Felipe Nasr in Brazil – but has shown consistent improvement as the season has gone on, finishing 11th in Mexico.

Sauber has now confirmed Ericsson will remain with the team for the 2017 season, leaving just three seats available on next year’s grid.

“It is great news that I will be racing for another year for the Sauber F1 Team,” Ericsson said. “I have spent two years with Sauber now, and I really feel at home. A big thanks to everyone within the team for trusting in me again. From a personal point of view, I have developed a lot as a driver during my time at Sauber.

“We have had ups and downs, but we always stick together and work as hard as we can. Since the new ownership, there has been a positive push in the team, so it will also be exciting to go into this new era. Many motorsport experts are becoming part of Sauber, which is a good sign for the future.

“For 2017 my aim is to build on my performance from the second half of this season, and to continue working hard with the team. I cannot wait for the 2017 season, so that we can make our way up to the midfield with the objective to score points on a regular basis.”

Esteban Gutierrez has been linked with a seat at Sauber in 2017, having confirmed talks with the team in Brazil. If Nasr is not retained, the Brazilian is understood to be evaluating a potential third driver role at a team further up the grid.