The first lap clash last weekend in Austin between Sauber drivers Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson  left team principal Monisha Kaltenbron thoroughly unimpressed.

Even though Nasr brought back some valuable points back for the Swiss outfit which is competing for eighth in the Constructor's Championship, Kaltenborn believes there are no excuses for Sauber's underperformance in a race where much more was expected.

"We can absolutely not be satisfied with this weekend. It is not an excuse that one driver did not know the track before and we were not able to run many laps here in the dry."

The Sauber boss was not only infuriated by her drivers coming together at Turn 1, she also lamented the team's strategic gamble to send Nasr back out on slicks after his first stop, a decision which proved premature in spite of the Brazilian racking in a few points, primarily owed to circumstances involving the Safety Car and VSC.

"Almost everything that should not happen during a race happened," said a frustrated Kaltenborn. "The result is fortunate, but we cannot count just on luck in the future.”

FIA set to allow new engine in 2017 after Ferrari blocks cost capping measures

Lewis Hamilton: Three-time F1 world champion

United States Grand Prix - Driver ratings

Click here for the F1 drivers' girlfriends gallery

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Budkowski’s Austin comments raise fresh doubts over Bottas

Cadillac is in the final stretch of its first season in Formula 1, and questions…

33 minutes ago

US Grand Prix: Hamilton upholds Ferrari’s lead in final practice

Lewis Hamilton upheld Ferrari’s dominance in free practice on Saturday at COTA, with the seven-time…

1 hour ago

United States Grand Prix Free Practice 3 - Results

Full results from Free Practice 32 for the United States Grand Prix in Austin, round…

1 hour ago

Antonelli caught off guard by Vettel record question in Austin

Kimi Antonelli is closing in on a place in Formula 1 history, but one chapter…

5 hours ago

Hadjar: Red Bull’s car was “completely gone” in Austin

Red Bull arrived in Austin riding a wave of momentum, but Friday’s running at the…

7 hours ago

A landmark triumph for Ginther, Honda and Goodyear in Mexico

The Mexican Grand Prix at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez will always hold a special place…

7 hours ago