Points elude Nasr after first corner contact

Felipe Nasr says he was convinced he could fight for points with Sauber team-mate Marcus Ericsson had it not been for a first-lap puncture at the Italian Grand Prix.

The Brazilian got excellent drive off the line but his race unravelled before it really got going after suffering a collision in the exit of the first chicane, causing a tyre puncture, which he never fully recovered from to eventually finish 13th.

"I had a great start, and was in the top ten after gaining some positions," Nasr explained. "After the first chicane I felt I had a puncture on the right rear tyre, so I had to make an early pit stop. It was clear that my race was compromised from that moment on.

"It is unfortunate, as the car was competitive enough to finish the race in the points. I tried my best today. Now I look forward to the Singapore Grand Prix."

The Brazilian driver is currently enduring a barren run of form with his last points finish coming in Monaco, after an excellent start to his maiden F1 season when he grabbed fifth place on his debut in Australia and eighth in China.

Nasr remains 13th in the drivers' standings in his first year in F1, ten points off top rookie Max Verstappen.