Nasr to replace Bottas at Williams (2nd Update)
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| Felipe Nasr |
(GMM) Felipe Nasr has played down earlier speculation that linked him with a potential switch to Williams for 2016.
It was said the impressive Brazilian rookie and his Banco do Brasil sponsorship dollars could be headed to Grove to replace a potentially Ferrari-bound Valtteri Bottas.
But Sauber then announced that both Nasr and his current teammate Marcus Ericsson are staying put.
"There was a lot of speculation," Nasr, 22, told Globo Esporte, "but the Williams rumors appeared only because I was a test driver there last year.
"Many were saying that I would go back there automatically.
"But the best thing for me was to continue at Sauber, to continue my work and the development of the car," he added.
"The plan for 2016 is taking shape and there is a lot of good developments coming to the car. The team will make a big jump in 2016," Nasr predicted.
07/23/15 The Portuguese-language Diario Motorsport reports that if Bottas does move to Ferrari, he will not be replaced by Sauber's Felipe Nasr.
A Williams switch for Nasr, whose potential teammate would be Felipe Massa, would mean an all-Brazilian lineup for the British team, which "for commercial reasons" has been ruled out.
Secondly, the publication claims Sauber has a firm two-year contract in place with Nasr's major backer, Banco do Brasil.
07/17/15 (GMM) The 'silly season' looks set to burst into life.
Italy's Corriere dello Sport on Friday reports that Williams has agreed a EUR 12 million buyout by Ferrari of Valtteri Bottas' 2016 contract 'option'.
And the Rome-based daily said the man slotting into Bottas' Williams seat next year will be the British team's former reserve driver, Felipe Nasr.
Corriere dello Sport predicted Bottas' move, tipped to be announced officially in early August once the 2016 option on Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari deal runs out, will trigger a "domino effect" on the driver market involving "at least four teams".
Brazilian Nasr, who stepped up from the Williams reserve seat to make his grand prix debut with Sauber this year, carries the significant sponsorship of Banco do Brasil.
Earlier this week, the 22-year-old had been quoted by Brazil's UOL Esporte as playing down the rumors of a return to Williams for 2016.
"For my part I have not heard anything yet," he said. "Of course there are always rumors.
"But I'm still committed to Sauber, we have a plan to improve the car in 2016, we have a lot of work going on and have hired a new (technical) boss," Nasr, referring to Mark Smith, added.
But last month, Nasr admitted his frustration with Sauber's stalled car development in 2015, reportedly calling a recurring brake problem "unacceptable".
When asked by Brazil's Globo about a potential return to Williams, he answered: "I think it's too early to talk about it.
"I am committed to Sauber." But as for Grove based Williams, Nasr continued: "I had a great year with them in 2014 so I see the door open. Who knows if in the future an opportunity there may arise."