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F1 Brazilian GP: Nasr calls vital Sauber points ‘like a race win’

Felipe Nasr has compared his ninth place finish in his home race to a race victory for Sauber as it lifts them above Manor in the F1 world constructors' championship with one round remaining.

The Sauber driver kept his nerve and race pace while those around him either gambled for intermediate tyres or slipped off in the treacherous rain at Interlagos and despite rising to as high as sixth at one stage the Brazilian was forced to settle for ninth at the chequered flag.

However, the two points Nasr has claimed are potentially worth around £30m in F1 prize money as Sauber jumped above Manor into tenth in the F1 world constructors' standings.

"It was amazing. It was like a dream come true and I couldn't have imagined of a better way to score these two points in a home grand prix here in Interlagos," Nasr said. "It feels amazing, I cannot describe it but it just feels really good.

"It was a difficult race for everybody, difficult conditions and we were able to keep the car on track, hold some quicker cars. I was hoping the race was going to finish earlier on because we were a bit higher but I'm still satisfied.

"I'm happy for the team, two points that will give them some extra motivation and also for the championship it's very important."

Nasr's ninth place is the first time he and Sauber has finished in the points since the 2015 United States Grand Prix, while it also marks the first season since 2009 in which every team has scored points, and is further evidence of the Swiss team's recent resurgence from a difficult two years marred by driver disputes, financial trouble and a takeover by Longbow Finance in July.

"Sometimes it comes and I was there to take it," he said. "It was a while since I scored my last points in F1 and it feels great. It tastes like a victory, from the difficult situation we were all facing. I feel like we deserved it today."

Sauber is still to confirm its 2017 driver line-up with Nasr's position potentially coming under threat after team principal Monisha Kaltenborn held talks with outgoing Haas driver Esteban Gutierrez in Brazil. 

Zdroj: crash.net