Rio Haryanto hopes for Formula 1 race seat return

Team Manor's Rio Haryanto gives a press conference at the Circuit de Catalunya on February 24, 2016
© AFP
Rio Haryanto says that he hopes to return to a race seat in Formula 1.

Rio Haryanto has said that he hopes to return to a race seat in Formula 1.

After failing to come up with €7m (£6m) to finance the second half of his maiden F1 campaign, Manor replaced the Indonesian with Mercedes-backed Esteban Ocon.

The Indonesian government, having effectively funded Haryanto's campaign, said that it "understands" the decision but still sounded critical of Manor.

"The sports ministry is disappointed with the decision, as Manor's racing director Dave Ryan in February promised Rio Haryanto would race a full season in F1," a spokesman told the Jakarta Globe.

However, 23-year-old Haryanto himself sounded more understanding.

"Actually, they had helped me by allowing me to race in German Grand Prix," he told the Indonesian portal Tempo. "With the available funding, I should have only raced up to the Hungarian Grand Prix."

Haryanto has also accepted Manor's offer of a reserve driver role.

"Actually, I don't have to do it all the time. But I hope I can be with the team in every race," he said.

When asked what his next target is, Haryanto admitted: "I hope that I can return to the circuit as a driver."

Manor have picked up one point so far in the 2016 championship.

Pascal Wehrlein arrives in the paddock before final practice for the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 19, 2015
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