Criticisms represent a mistaken view - Nasr

Felipe Nasr has hit back at any lingering claims he might be written off as a typical 'pay driver'. It was said the Brazilian's arrival at Sauber with his sponsor Banco do Brasil - whose blue and yellow colours now dominate the 2015 livery - helped to save the embattled Swiss team.

But Nasr has also been a standout rookie so far this year, contributing the vast bulk of the team's points so far and powering Sauber to an unlikely fifth in the championship. "I have won several championships," the 22-year-old driver of Arabic descent told the Portuguese edition of Playboy. "These criticisms (about being a pay driver) represent a mistaken view," he insisted, "because drivers have been arriving with sponsorship for a long time -- Alonso, Vettel, even Schumacher," he said.

Nasr has admitted, however, that Sauber - with probably the second-smallest budget in F1 behind Manor - could struggle to keep up its development pace in the next phase of the season. "Lotus, Toro Rosso, Force India, McLaren -- they're all coming," he confirmed. "And our car is basically the same as it has been in the first four races," revealed Nasr.

Ahead of the Spanish grand prix, where most teams will unveil substantial car upgrades, a Sauber spokesman told Globo: "Our two cars have aerodynamic upgrades. I'm sorry I can't give more details." (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country BR
  • Date of b. Aug 21 1992 (33)
  • Place of b. Brasilia, BR
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar