ABU DHABI // Felipe Nasr believes that scoring his and Sauber’s first points of the season in Brazil two weeks ago could be the deciding factor that helps keep him on the Formula One grid for 2017.
The Brazilian has arrived in the UAE for Sunday’s Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as one of the few drivers who is yet to know his fate for next year.
Sauber this week announced that Marcus Ericsson, Nasr’s teammate for the past two seasons, had signed a new deal.
But there is no news yet on whether Nasr will also stay. He had been linked previously with drives at Williams, Force India and Renault, but none of those came to fruition.
More Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:
• Exclusive interview: With Felipe Nasr
• Jenson Button: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 'my last race'
• Q&A: With Max Verstappen
While negotiations are continuing, Sauber have been linked with other drivers, including Manor Racing’s Pascal Wehrlein. However, Nasr’s performance in the rain of Sao Paulo, where he finished ninth to score two points, could aid his cause.
Sauber had been scoreless prior to Nasr’s efforts, with the team struggling to be competitive this season, but the result moved them up to 10th in constructors’ championship, ahead of Manor, earning them more prize money if they are still in that spot after Sunday.
“I would expect that it does help for sure,” said Nasr during Thursday’s media news conference. “If anything a racing driver can do is contribute to a team with points.
“I know these points are valuable, what they mean in championship and resources the team will make for 2017 so it’s the best I could have given them.”
Nasr, who finished fifth on his debut at the Australian Grand Prix in 2015, admitted it had been hard to deal with having a slower car this season after a strong first year, but that his confidence had been boosted by his endeavours in Brazil.
“We saw the two sides of the coin — the first year I had in F1 I was able to achieve so much,” he said.
“The second one was such a difficult time, with the car being uncompetitive, but it was nice that we were able to get those points in Brazil and I am sure that has given a boost to the team.”
For more from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, including exclusive interviews, information guides, videos, and much more, visit our dedicated microsite.
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
