Marcus Ericsson is hopeful of a good showing in Barcelona this weekend, a venue the Sauber driver knows well and where he delivered some good performances in the past.

The Swede has yet to score a top-ten finish at the Circuit de Catalunya, but the track holds some good memories from his days in GP2.

“Off to our first European race this season – round five, in Barcelona,” said Ericsson.

“It almost feels like my home track, as it is the one I have probably driven the most in Formula 1 so far and it is a circuit that I really enjoy going back to.

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“I have always been strong there, with a pole position in GP2, and some good results in Formula 1,” he added.

“It has a good mix of all different types of corners, and a very technical last sector that can make or break a lap in qualifying, as well as race stints.”

Ericsson has already delivered a points-scoring result to his team this season, finishing P9 in Bahrain.

That achievement as well as Charles Leclerc’s impressive performance in Baku, where the Monegasque came home a remarkable sixth, suggest some good prospects for Sauber in Barcelona.

But Ericsson will likely also get a boost from the strong Swedish contingent that traditionally makes the trip to Southern Europe.

“There are usually quite a lot of Swedish fans who come to support, which makes it even more special for me, and gives me an extra boost to have a good weekend,” he confirmed.

“I can’t wait to get out to Barcelona.”

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