Rio Haryanto 'needs more funding for full Manor seat'

Team Manor's Rio Haryanto gives a press conference at the Circuit de Catalunya on February 24, 2016
© AFP
A cloud may already be hanging over Rio Haryanto's new race seat at Manor as is reported that he needs more funding.

A cloud may already be hanging over Rio Haryanto's new race seat at Manor.

The 23-year-old rookie secured the drive when his sponsor, the Indonesian state-owned oil company Pertamina, lodged a €5m (£4m) downpayment, but it is rumoured that Manor has been promised a further $15m (£10.8m) from the Haryanto camp across the remainder of 2016.

Now, Indonesia's national news agency Antara reports that the country's national motor association (IMI DKI) will try to help the Haryanto camp to raise money.

"IMI DKI is still designing a solidarity system such as through sale of merchandises of all championships held under IMI to support Rio Haryanto," chairman Alfonsus Judiarto said on Wednesday.

"The government has tried to help using the national budget, but the procedure for it is complicated and the idea has caused pros and cons. We hope private parties would contribute to help Rio."

In a separate media report, Haryanto's manager Piers Hunnisett was quoted as denying that Haryanto's seat is in danger.

Hunnisett did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Max Chilton of Marussia drives during a practise session for the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix on November 22, 2013
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