NOVEMBER 17, 2016

Small team race seats - like auction says Nasr snr

Felipe Nasr's father has played down claims the Brazilian may have hurt rather than helped his chances of keeping the Sauber seat in 2017.

Felipe Nasr's father has played down claims the Brazilian may have hurt rather than helped his chances of keeping the Sauber seat in 2017.

By passing Manor for tenth in the constructors' championship in Brazil, Sauber stands to benefit to the tune of dozens of millions -- while Manor loses the same amount.

So with Nasr's Banco do Brasil sponsorship wavering, it is suggested Manor will now need to turn to pay drivers in 2017, paving the way for Mercedes' Pascal Wehrlein to replace Nasr at Sauber.

But Nasr's father, Samir Nasr, sees it the other way around.

"The points he got in Brazil can change a lot for him," Nasr snr told Brazil's UOL.

That is despite the fact that Wehrlein would bring millions to Sauber in promised Mercedes backing.

Samir Nasr insisted: "The other driver can bring $5 million, but on the track, my son has made over $11 million for the team."

He lamented the fact that it may be financial issues that ultimately leave Nasr in the cold.

"The problem is that the smaller teams have become like an auction -- the one who brings more, with the sports in the background.

"But we are seeking sponsorship," Samir added. "I think things can change now with this result."

(GMM)