Sponsorship complications are holding up Felipe Nasr’s potential new contract with the Sauber F1 Team for 2017, especially with new owners at his primary sponsor, Banco do Brasil.
Banco do Brasil have changed its president in recent times as well as other positions in the company, and these changes are having a negative effect on talks between Nasr and Sauber about a third season with Hinwil-based team.
Sauber and Manor Racing MRT are the only teams yet to confirm their line-ups for 2017, and although Marcus Ericsson is seemingly almost certain to remain next season, Nasr’s position is less certain with a lot of drivers including former Sauber employee Esteban Gutierrez in contention to replace the Brazilian.
“I wouldn’t say I’m frustrated. It’s just how things are,” said Nasr on Autosport. “Sauber is still an attractive place to be, it has been getting a lot of people on board, has been restructured, and it’s on the way up.”
Nasr secured Sauber’s first points of the season last time out in the Brazilian Grand Prix which moved them ahead of Manor in the Constructors’ Championship, which could have a positive effect on the team’s 2017 ambitions, and he feels the team will have a much better season next year.
“I only see things changing for the good, with a lot of focus on 2017, and it will be a lot different than this year,” said Nasr.
