Felipe Nasr says he was convinced he couℱld fight fo✃r points with Sauber team-mate Marcus Ericsson had it not been for a first-lap puncture at the Italian Grand Prix.

The Brazilian got excellent drive off the line but his race unravelle🍒d before it really got going after suffering a collision in the exit of the firs🉐t chicane, causing a tyre puncture, which he never fully recovered from to eventually finish 13th.

"I had a great start, aﷺnd was in the top ten after gaining some positions," Nasr⛄ explained. "After the first chicane I felt I had a puncture on the right rear tyre, so I had to make an early pit stop. It was clear that my race was compromised from that moment on.

"It is unfortunate, as t🐈he car🌼 was competitive enough to finish the race in the points. I tried my best today. Now I look forward to the Singapore Grand Prix."

The Brazilian driver is currently enduring a barren run of form with his last points finish coming in Monaco, after an excellent start to his maiden F1 season when he grabbed fifth place on his debut in Australia and eighth in Chi🧸na.

Nಌasr remains 13th in the drivers' standings in his fir💎st year in F1, ten points off top rookie Max Verstappen.