Mother: 'No 2017 return for Rio Haryanto'

Manor's Rio Haryanto on March 17, 2016 ahead of the Australian Grand Prix
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Rio Haryanto drops out of the running to return to F1 in 2017.

Rio Haryanto has dropped out of the running to return to F1 in 2017.

The Indonesian rookie's 2016 season ended prematurely with sponsor trouble, and now his main backer Pertamina has pulled out completely.

Haryanto, 23, had been in the running to return this year with either Manor or Sauber.

However, his mother, Indah Pennywati, told Asian news source Rappler that her son "will not be in F1 this year".

"The deadline with the Sauber team is up," she added, referring the Swiss outfit that are believed to have now signed Pascal Wehrlein.

Deputy Indonesian sports minister Gatot S Dewa Broto commented: "I was of course very sorry when I heard that Rio could no longer compete in F1.

"We hope that Rio's career does not end just because of a lack of funds."

Pennywati said that her son is now likely to work in 2017 with the family's popular stationary business, Kiky.

Carlos Sainz ahead of Max Verstappen for Toro Rosso at the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 20, 2016
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