Felipe Nasr says he is “ready” for F1

The 2015 season will be a special season for Felipe Nasr. Indeed, the young 22-year-old Brazilian driver will be the new driver for Sauber, after having served during the 2014 season as a test driver for Williams. The Brazilian driver was engaged in GP2, yet in the same year he participated in five free practice sessions, as well as two private test sessions for the Grove team.

Asked by the official F1 website, Felipe Nasr says he is ready to become a full-time driver and thus benefit from the experience that Williams has brought him: « I learned a lot at Williams. I am very grateful for this opportunity. I drove a single-seater for the first time with them, I had the chance to work with the engineers, the mechanics, and of course with other drivers. Thanks to them, I was able to participate in the daily life of an F1 team. I spent a year as the 3rd driver and as a man. With everything I’ve experienced, I feel ready to take on the next challenge in my career. Of course, the work will start at the same time. »

Despite this farewell from Grove, Felipe Nasr would have liked to stay. A possibility that was impossible because Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas were confirmed as the main drivers. Ultimately, it was with Sauber that he committed to making his Formula 1 debut in the 2015 season: « Of course, I would have liked to continue here [at Williams]. Felipe and Valtteri are the two main drivers of the team, I needed to move on. I might have missed ‘the moment’. I needed to move to the next step. Times change in F1, so you have to be quick. A year as a main driver is much better than being a test driver. »

Felipe Nasr has indeed confirmed that he is financially supported, as in GP2, by the Brazilian bank Banco do Brasil, fresh money welcome for Sauber: « I have been supported by them for a long time, it’s something normal for us to arrive together in F1. It’s an excellent opportunity for them to develop on an international level. What is essential today is to have partners. Today talent is no longer the only element to consider. Obviously, talent is important, but support must be as well. When these two potentials are combined, then there is the possibility to thrive. »

Sauber did not score any points for the 2014 season. The rookie for the 2015 season is well aware of the difficulties faced by the team in 2014 and what might await them in 2015: « Last season they had a very difficult season, so we have a lot of work to do and of course, I want to be of service to the team. I know a lot of young drivers who would like to have this step, I will do my best for this first season and try to make the most of it. I am aware that getting into F1 is a chance and some drivers manage to confirm. Success must be the goal. But we must be united on many parameters: luck, the right moment, and the right team. »

Felipe Nasr has set himself the goal of scoring points in his first season, even though he dreams of a podium for his debut, he also spoke about his idols: Points? Let’s be crazy, a podium? These are just words. I don’t know how the car is, the team, so we’ll see. I was born in 1992, I didn’t witness Ayrton Senna’s career. My other idol is Michael Schumacher, they are my two references.