Sauber has announced that Felipe Nasr will drive for the Formula One team in 2015, with the Brazilian's sponsor Banco do Brasil also joining the Swiss outfit.
22-year old Nasr, currently second in this year's GP2 series but with no chance of taking the title, spent 2014 as the reserve driver at the Williams team, which announced support from Banco do Brasil at the start of this year. That deal was believed to be worth US$13 million to the British team. Nasr will make his Grand Prix debut in Melbourne in March, having completed several outings during Friday practice sessions for Williams this year.
Banco do Brasil logos will appear on the sidepods and on the back of the rear wing of Sauber's 2015 cars.
"Banco do Brasil has been an important partner for Felipe so far, and we are delighted that such a renowned company is contuing to support him during this important step," said Monisha Kaltenborn, Sauber's team principal. "We look forward to this partnership.”
Formula One: Brazil’s biggest bank to sponsor WilliamsBanco do Brasil's Hayton Rocha, the company's marketing and communications director, added: "The main objective of this partnership is to make possible the entry of a new Brazilian driver into Formula One. A sport that has a faithful audience in our country. Banco do Brasil believes in the potential of Felipe Nasr, considered by the specialists to be the most promising Brazilian in motor racing since Ayrton Senna. Apart from that, it is an opportunity to create a connection between our brands and symbolises our Brazilianness, modernity and technology."
Sauber has failed to secure a point this season and will now go into 2015 with an all-new driver line-up with both Adrian Sutil and Mexico's Esteban Gutierrez, who brought significant sponsorship from his home country, leaving the team.
Sweden's Marcus Ericsson, who is believed to bring with him a budget of around US$18 million in private money, was confirmed as a Sauber driver for 2015 on Saturday. Dutch driver Giedo van der Garde, who has multi-million dollar backing from the McGregor Fashion company, had been expected to secure the second Sauber seat, but is believed not to have Nasr's level of financial support.
