Felipe Nasr believes the lack of drivers from Brazil on the 2017 Formula 1 grid is a concern.
Brazil has produced some famous drivers including Emerson Fittpaldi, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna but have yet to produce an F1 world champion since Senna. The last Brazilian driver to win a Grand Prix was Rubens Barrichello when he won the 2009 Italian Grand Prix. When Felipe Massa finished third at Monza in 2015, this was the most recent podium finish in F1 for a Brazilian.
It did look like this season would be the first since 1969 to not feature a Brazilian, as Massa announced his retirement but with Valtteri Bottas moving to Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team from Williams Martini Racing, Massa’s retirement was postponed. Nasr found himself without a seat for this season as Pascal Wehrlein replaced him at Sauber F1 Team.
With Brazil having such a part in the history of Formula 1, Nasr believes they shouldn’t let the legacy go.
“Of course it’s a concern,” he said. “I’m also concerned for the younger generation because Brazil has such a part in the history of Formula 1. We can’t just let the legacy go. I’m pretty sure the country sees it that way. We shouldn’t stop finding new drivers to come up.”
