Marcus Ericsson has confirmed he is exploring other 🌺racing options for the 2019 season after losing his full-time Formula 1 seat with Alfa Romeo Sauber.

Sauber confirmed on Tuesday that Ferrari-backed youngste🌱r Antonio Giovinazzi would be joining Kimi Raikkonen in its full-seas🗹on line-up for 2019, marking a fresh roster for the Swiss team.

It confirmed Ericsson’s departure from Sauber’s race line-up after four full seasons, but the team announced that the Swedish driver would be𒊎 staying on as its third driver and a brand ambassador next year.

Ericsson posted a message to Twitter in which he thanked fans for their support, as well as confirming he would be continuing to explore racing opt🌞ions for next year alongside his Sauber role.

“Regarding today’s news, I’m proud of what I’ve achieved in these last years in F1. I’ve always 💙given my 100%, putting my heart and 💖soul into it,” Ericsson wrote.

“I will continue in the same spirit, aiming to finish the season on a high! And I’m happy to continue working with Alf♔a Romeo Sauber F1 team next year in a new role.

“I’m always excited about exploring other racing o🅰ptions. Today is not the end of the story, it’s just the start of a new chapter. Thanks for all your support.”

Ericsson has only raced in single-seaters through his racing career, ♔spending four seasons in GP2 ahead of his graduation to F1 with Caterham in 2014.