Aug.12 (GMM) Rio Haryanto says he hopes to return to a race seat in formula one.
After failing to come up with EUR 7 million 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 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.
But 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.”
And 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.”