FEATURE
F
elipe Nasr’s relationship with Sauber has run
hot and cold for most of this season and before
the race at Interlagos it was decidedly cool as
the he openly sought to ply his trade elsewhere, but
the Brazilian Grand Prix may have changed that.
Nasr finished ninth in an action packed and
challenging race, scoring the Swiss team’s first points
of the season and saw them leap frog ahead of the
Manor team by one point.
That one point could be worth an extra $20
million dollars in prize money for Sauber, and
signifies a huge loss for Manor unless they can score
points at the season finale in Abu Dhabi – an unlikely
scenario.
Nasr, who was linked with Force India and
Renault before those teams confirmed their 2017
drivers, may be out of a drive next season unless he
can come to an agreement with Sauber for another
season. His performance and the subsequent reward
will have done his shares no harm with the team.
Speaking to journalists after the race, Nasr said,
“This is great for the team. It’s a dream to score my
first points of the season in Brazil. It was the first time
I raced in the rain at Interlagos. I want to continue
in Formula 1 next year and I know I’m capable of it.
Results always help.”
“I said throughout the weekend that I was
focused on what was happening on the track and
I would think about the future later. After the race I
talked with Monisha by phone, she was very pleased.
More than anyone, she knows the difficulties we
faces this season. I’m relieved to have scored
points.”
“When I saw the weather forecast for race day,
I knew it could be an opportunity. The opportunity
came, and I was ready to go for it,” added the
Brazilian, who started on the back row of the grid.