Williams' Nasr the 'real third driver' - manager
Felipe Nasr will drive in Friday practices five times this season.
Feb.25 (GMM) Felipe Nasr's uncle and manager insists the Brazilian is the "real third driver" at Williams this year.
The comments made by Amir Nasr, a well-known figure in the world of Brazilian motor racing, follow news Susie Wolff will drive the new Williams on Friday at both the British and German Grands Prix this year.
Just days earlier, the Grove based team appointed the Banco do Brasil-backed 21-year-old Felipe Nasr to the test and reserve role, saying he will appear in the Mercedes-powered FW36 on five Friday mornings in 2014.
Speaking to Jovem Pan radio, Amir Nasr played down suggestions Felipe's new role could be a shared or back-seat one, such as when Lotus reserve Davide Valsecchi last year was overlooked when Kimi Raikkonen headed for back surgery.
"Felipe is the real third driver of the team -- it is in the contract," Amir Nasr insisted.
"In case of any problem with the race drivers, he is the natural replacement.
"He will have to go to all of the Grands Prix and he will work in the simulator each week to compensate for the lack of track time.
"It is a more complex task than it seems," Amir added.
Amir Nasr said only a one-year contract with Williams was agreed because the chance the British team can offer him a race seat for 2015 is slim.
"Williams has two very good (race) drivers," he said. "Massa has a three-year contract while Bottas is 23 and a potential world champion.
"We could not agree a longer contract because we would not have a guarantee he will be promoted," Amir explained.
Share Or Save This Story
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Red Bull signs Kimi Raikkonen’s son as junior driver
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
George Russell 'overanalysing everything' as Kimi Antonelli extends F1 lead, says former driver
George Russell reveals when he’ll take his own F1 engine penalty
Why Kimi Antonelli's Italian GP triumph over George Russell felt like a title-defining moment
James Hinchcliffe warns Fred Vasseur faces "tremendous" pressure over Ferrari team orders
George Russell 'overanalysing everything' as Kimi Antonelli extends F1 lead, says former driver
“I f***ed up quite a lot”: How Yuki Tsunoda discovered the complexity of F1 2026 at Monza
LIVE: F1 Spanish Grand Prix updates - George Russell leads Kimi Antonelli in first Madring practice
What F1's risky Madrid bet needs to get right in order to pay off
The deeper meaning of Vettel’s emotional Schumacher demo run at Monza
Why new Madrid F1 circuit will be a "challenging" test of cars and engines
Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur recall GP2 title and 'most impressive race ever', 20 years on
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments