The P9 finish that once miraculously saved the Sauber F1 team
Looking back at a stunning P9 finish that once miraculously saved the Sauber F1 team back in 2016.
Follow Us
Felipe Nasr and the Sauber F1 team after the 2016 Brazilian GP
The Sauber F1 team has had a rollercoaster journey in Formula 1. The present Alfa Romeo squad will enter a new era in 2026. As the Swiss outfit becomes a full-fledged Audi works team. However, the team may not have survived to see this day if not for one points-scoring race finish. Back in 2016, Sauber was struggling in the back of the field in F1. Consequently, the team was on the verge of finishing at the bottom of the standings.
However, it was the Brazilian driver, Felipe Nasr who came to the rescue. The 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix went down in history as an iconic race. The rain-affected Grand Prix saw some staggering battles throughout the field including Max Verstappen’s incredible charge on new intermediates. Although, Nasr accomplished an outstanding result for the Sauber F1 team as well.
Felipe Nasr took advantage of the wet conditions at his home race. The Brazilian started last after a disastrous qualifying session. However, Nasr managed to gain tons of places over the course of the race. So much so, that by the end of the Grand Prix, Felipe had climbed up to P9, bringing home 2 lifesaving points for the Sauber F1 team.
Also Read: Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll once collided during a cooldown lap in 2017
How did it save the Sauber F1 team?
Nasr’s P9 gave the Swiss team 2 points, bringing it up to ninth in the team’s championship. This result pushed the now-defunct Manor F1 team to last place. Manor had scored a single point that year courtesy of Pascal Wehrlein at the Red Bull Ring. Subsequently, the Sauber F1 team went on to finish P9 in the F1 Constructors’ standings, giving it a much-needed increase in prize money.
Correspondingly, this played a significant role in boosting Sauber F1’s finances. Many have wondered about the possibilities if Nasr had not brought home those two points that day. Although, Manor’s demise from F1 at the end of 2016 was due to financial constraints, surely gives fans a hint of what could have happened. Certainly, it is a relief that the iconic Swiss team remains in F1 to this day. Now with a new boss in the form of Andreas Seidl.
Thus, Audi’s entry in F1 with a full-blown works project might be indirectly credited to Felipe Nasr’s stellar drive in 2016. Presently, the Sauber F1-run Alfa Romeo team aims to eventually fight for the title in Formula 1. The Swiss outfit will work hand-in-hand with the German automaker to finally achieve Peter Sauber’s dream. The dream is to triumph at the pinnacle of motorsport with a humble Swiss squad.
Read More: Delving into the differences between the Mercedes W14 and its predecessor
Read More: Red Bull Racing once shocked the paddock with a camouflaged F1 car
Stay Updated!
Armaan Agarwal
(2308 Articles Published)