Nasr ‘a bit surprised’ by penalty for Palmer clash

Sauber driver Felipe Nasr says he was “a bit surprised” to be handed a 10-second time penalty for causing a collision with Renault’s Jolyon Palmer in the early stages of the Italian Grand Prix.

The pair clashed at the exit of the first chicane on Lap 3, with the Brazilian spinning and wiping off the Briton’s front wing as a result. Both would ultimately have to retire.

Palmer was fuming after the race, blaming Nasr for the accident and taking little comfort in the sanction he was given.

“I went to see [FIA race director] Charlie [Whiting] but that was nothing special” Nasr said afterwards. “There is not much to say really.

“I was a bit surprised [by the sanction]. What can I do? I got the penalty in the end and it’s not going to change if I say whether I was right or wrong. It’s done.

“I felt like climbing up to 14th on the first lap was again putting in a good effort at the start, a good first lap and we could have at least hold on to the position, maybe fight for something better. It’s a shame it ended up this way but we gotta keep on trying.”

Palmer and Nasr have a bit of history dating back from their GP2 Series days, even when they were team-mates at Carlin. The Brazilian says he will not seek to speak to his rival in order to clear the air.

“I don’t think it’s necessary”, Nasr concluded.

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