Rio Haryanto's prospects of making his Formula 1 debut with Manor in 2016 may have stalled as the Indonesian racer finds himself short of the required funding demanded by the British outfit.
The 23-year-old, who has spent the last four years racing in GP2 and collected three wins in 2015 with Campos Racing, has secured backing from state oil company Pertamina and from his country's Youth and Sports Ministry.
However, approximately 25 percent of the $16 million budget requested by Manor remains to be found.
"I really hope for the best that my dream will come true," the driver told a press conference at the Youth and Sports Ministry building in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Pressed by time, Haryanto and his management are doubling down on their efforts to acquire the full budget by the end of what appears to be a critical week for the young hopeful.
Youth and Sports Ministry spokesman Gatot S. Dewa Broto said that Haryanto would need to deliver to Manor a down payment to show his seriousness in taking part in F1, with the remainder of the 2016 budget paid in several installments.
“Therefore, this week will be a critical time for Rio in entering F1,” said Gatot, admitting that any possible outcome might occur, including the possibility that Manor would choose another driver instead of Rio, within the week.
With Manor offering the only remaining F1 seats, several drivers in addition to Haryanto are currently linked with the drive, including its 2015 driver Will Stevens, American Alexander Rossi and Mercedes-backed hopeful Pascal Wehrlein.
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