Former Sauber driver Felipe Nasr believes a return to the Formula 1 grid is an unlikely prospect in the mid-term.
The 25-year-old Brazilian contested two seasons with the Swiss outfit but was forced to retreat Grand Prix racing at the end of last year when his sponsor - Banco do Brasil - pulled out of the sport.
Nasr has visited many races this season however, on both sides of the Atlantic, as he seeks his future path in motor racing.
"I tested the IMSA prototype, I had some contact with some Formula E teams, I did some simulators, and I was also at IndyCar at the Watkins Glen round in New York," Nasr told Globo.
He attended the IndyCar round as a guest of Penske's Helio Castroneves.
"He put me in touch with a lot of people in Indy," Nasr revealed, amid rumours he could test an Indycar next month.
"Regardless of the category, I think I have the quality to be in a competitive team next year," he said.
Nasr is managed by Steve Robertson, who looks after the interests of Kimi Raikkonen, and who has kept him up to date on Formula 1's affairs.
He admits however that a return to F1 will be difficult.
"Either you're linked to an automaker right from the start or you need to take an investment to get into the other teams," Nasr said.
"The moment that our country is going through also does not help. Realistically, no one is investing in anything."
Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
