Sauber driver Felipe Nasr has been left frustrated after contact on the opening lap ruined his race at the Chinese Grand Prix.
The Brazilian was forced to take avoiding action after Kimi Raikkonen attempted to rejoin the circuit, causing Nasr to collide with a helpless Lewis Hamilton and the Brazilian to pick up front wing damage and a puncture. All three of them pitted on the opening lap.
Not only did the contact ruin Raikkonen and Hamilton’s fight for the podium, it caused Nasr in a lowly 20th place.
“It was a difficult race for me this weekend, especially as it was compromised after the start at turn 1. I got hit, which resulted in my front right tyre having a puncture and in a nose change. That cost me a lot of time in the race, because I couldn’t recover the lap I lost in the Safety Car period.”
Nasr also feels that the Sauber team need to do a lot of work to improve the car. They are yet to score a point since the US Grand Prix last year and currently sit second-last in the Constructors’ Championship – ahead only of Manor and one of three teams not to score a point so far this year.
“I still feel that we have a lot to do in the car to bring back the pace, because I am still struggling with the same issues that I’ve been having in the last couple of events.”
“I have confidence in the team that we can get the performance back”.
