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Nasr says Brazilian GP points "taste like victory" for Sauber

Felipe Nasr says that what could prove to be a crucial points finish in the Brazilian Grand Prix felt like a victory for Sauber after its difficult season so far.

Felipe Nasr, Sauber C35 celebrates his ninth position at the end of the race

Felipe Nasr, Sauber C35 celebrates his ninth position at the end of the race

XPB Images

Marcus Ericsson, Sauber C35 leads team mate Felipe Nasr, Sauber C35
(L to R): Nico Hulkenberg, Sahara Force India F1 VJM09 and Felipe Nasr, Sauber C35 battle for position
Felipe Nasr, Sauber C35 and Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB12 battle for position
Felipe Nasr, Sauber F1 Team
Felipe Nasr, Sauber C35
Felipe Nasr, Sauber C35 and Nico Hulkenberg, Sahara Force India F1 VJM09 battle for position
Felipe Nasr, Sauber C35

Sauber knew that the Interlagos weekend offered it its best chance of overtaking Manor in the multi-million dollar battle for 10th place in the constructors' championship.

And after staying out of trouble in the tricky conditions, Nasr fended off a late threat from Esteban Ocon to take a ninth-place finish which moved Sauber ahead of Manor in the standings with one race remaining.

Nasr said the result was a huge boost to the team, which had suffered after financial dramas earlier this season meant development stopped for a while.

"It definitely helps. It helps everybody, the motivation of the team, everybody who is involved an extra boost for 2017 as well and I never lost confidence in the team," said Nasr.

"I always had the faith that we could have done it and we all deserve it. After such a difficult year, these two points mean a lot. For us, it tastes like a victory, having a car that was super difficult to drive.

"In terms of performance it would have been impossible to be in the points, but conditions like this the opportunity when it comes you have to be there to take it."

Nasr said that the result was made even sweeter by the fact that it was his home race.

"It feels even better," he said. "It's like a dream come true, having my first points here in Brazil in such a historical track and seeing the fans in the grandstand and, in the end, it was very special.

"I couldn't hide how happy I was and it felt like a very difficult race from the beginning to the end for everybody - in terms of the conditions, the track being slippery and sometimes aquaplaning everywhere in the straights. So it was super-tricky to have the car on track but we did it.

"In the end, that's what matters – two points and I couldn't be happier. I couldn't have imagined a better way of doing it, but I knew this weekend was a possibility with the weather being like this.

"I was surprised by the pace we had, keeping some quicker cars behind. I think we all deserve it after such a difficult year. It gives the whole team the motivation, myself, everybody that is involved on it and it's definitely a boost for 2017."

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