Felipe Nasr says Sauber is "facing a rather difficult time" having dropped to eighth in the constructors' championship.
A strong double points finish in Australia saw the team sitting third in the standings after the opening round in Melbourne, and despite failing to score in Malaysia, both cars finished in the top ten in China to leave Sauber in fourth place. However, the team has scored just three points since then and the Hungarian Grand Prix saw it slip to eighth, with Nasr admitting it has been a tough spell recently.
“Looking back to the beginning of the season, we have achieved most of the goals we had for the first half of the season," Nasr said. "We maximised our opportunities, especially in the beginning of the season; therefore, we were able to score important points. The result of the Australian Grand Prix was impressive. Finishing fifth was very special for me, as well as for the team.
"At the moment we are facing a rather difficult time. We have our updates in Spa-Francorchamps and Singapore, so we have to be patient. We are halfway through the season, and I think we are going in the right direction.
"For myself as a driver, I am learning something new every weekend. It is my first year as a race driver in Formula One with ups and downs. As a team we have done some good things so far.”
Sauber receives the upgraded Ferrari power unit at the Belgian Grand Prix following the mid-season break, with Singapore seeing the team bring an aerodynamic update to the car.
Felipe Nasr's exclusive F1i column: From the cockpit
Click here for a lighter look at some scenes from the Hungarian Grand Prix
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