Nasr eyeing Massa's seat with $18m sponsor

Sep.6 (GMM) Felipe Nasr could find his way into a Williams cockpit for 2015, according to the paddock grapevine at Monza.

Ironically, the Brazilian would presumably fill the seat at the British team currently occupied by his countryman Felipe Massa, whose name is eerily similar to the hopeful Williams reserve.

"It's a bit of an open secret that Felipe Nasr would be happy to have the seat, but I cannot see it just yet," said the commentator for the Finnish broadcaster MTV3, Oskari Saari.

"I think Williams will continue with the same drivers as this season," he added.

Nasr is managed by Steve Robertson, who also handles the career of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

Another Finnish journalist, Timo Pulkkinen, pointed out that Nasr may have another very lucrative ace up his sleeve.

"One rumour I heard yesterday is that Nasr has $18 million in sponsorship available.

"It may be that Williams is in need of that, but someone else would be happy to take it. Sauber, for example," he said.

"It may also be that Williams thinks Nasr is clearly weaker than Massa and would bring less points that could easily cost the team 18 million," Pulkkinen added.