Jun.20 (GMM) Fabio Leimer has his fingers crossed for a Friday practice debut at Silverstone in two weeks.
The 2013 GP2 champion had hoped to make his bow in Austria, having signed up as Manor’s new reserve and Friday driver just ahead of the recent Canadian grand prix.
Swiss Leimer, 26, did travel to the Red Bull Ring, but ultimately only for checks with the FIA as he progresses his application for a super licence.
“For 40 minutes,” he told Blick newspaper, “they checked my data, performed memory tests and coordination exercises.”
Leimer was hoping to drive on Friday, but his manager had admitted in Canada that it would depend on their raising of sufficient sponsorship.
Taking part in the post-race test at the Red Bull Ring next week had also been a possibility, but without Leimer’s backing, Manor will now not run at all.
“Unfortunately I can’t drive here,” Leimer admitted. “Now I’m hoping for Silverstone, but at the moment it’s best just to wait.”