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Is Haryanto's seat with Manor dependent on text messages?

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Manor Racing's Rio Haryanto has initiated an original support campaign in Indonesia involving a scheme where fans can fund the young hopeful's season through text messages.

In a nutshell, several telecommunication companies in Indonesia have encouraged users to text the word 'Rio' to a specific number, with a small cost going directly towards funding of Haryanto's F1 efforts with Manor.

The campaign promoters are apparently targeting 12.4 million text messages by mid-July. It's worth reminding that Indonesia's population amounts to 250 milliom people, so the target seems reasonable.

While the scheme is interesting, the more important take-away is perhaps the fact that Haryanto's seat with Manor may only be secure up to mid-July, or to the British Grand Prix.

Should he fail to bring in the required funding, his F1 seat could be in jeopardy.

The 23-year-old Indonesian is on a steep learning curve this season with Manor. The British outfit has upped its performance level thanks to its Mercedes power unit, but Haryanto still appears to be at a lengthy distance in terms of speed from his talented team mate, and Mercedes protégé, Pascal Wehrlein.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.