Felipe Nasr completed a difficult weekend at the Suzuka International Racing Course, after he saw the chequered flag in nineteenth position.
The Sauber F1 Team driver started the Japanese Grand Prix in the same position that he completed the race on Sunday, failing to climb up the grid. Some moments within the Grand Prix pushed him back, and after causing flat spots on his tyres following a lock-up, Nasr had to come in for an earlier pit than expected.
He also lost time pulling out of his pit box as the clutch did not seem ready to disengage, this time lost meant the gap to the group ahead increased. As he completed the Grand Prix a lap behind race winner Nico Rosberg, blue flags were being waved by the marshals, and Nasr believes these also compromised his race.
“A disappointing race after an overall difficult weekend,” said Nasr. “The first stint on hard tyres was ok.
“I braked a bit too late into Turn 11, which caused me to flat spot the tyres. That forced me to pit a bit earlier than originally planned. When I then came in for the pit stop, I lost some time when pulling out as the clutch did not seem ready to disengage. The gap to the group ahead increased, as some blue flags also compromised my race pace.”
