Senna hopes to stay in F1 in 2011

Senna's HRT team is simply not competitive

(GMM) Bruno Senna is confident he will not fall off the formula one grid after a single season.

Amid a difficult debut campaign with the struggling Spanish team HRT, the Brazilian 26-year-old sat out Silverstone last month but is confident he will now keep his seat until the end of the season.

Whilst visiting his native Sao Paulo during F1's August break, Senna told the local press that he is also confident about 2011.

But when asked if he has a plan B, he joked: "Selling coconuts on the beach!

"In fact, I hope the chance that I will continue (in F1) is 100 per cent. But unfortunately, it is impossible to say.

"Before the 2009 season, I seemed to have a good chance to race with Honda, but of course it ended up not happening.

"In F1, foresight doesn't work — the only thing that does is a signed contract. There are always talks but nothing official.

"We will have to see," added Senna.

He is unable to predict the identity of his employer for 2011.

"Few teams have guarantees that they will be on the grid," said Senna. "It is not an easy time in F1.

"It's not so simple, but they (HRT's bosses) are making plans. The best thing would be if I could simply choose the team, because my goal is to stay for many years, not just now.

"But I do have to work to get assurances that I'll be in F1 next year, either with this team or with another … it will depend on many things."

Senna acknowledged that financial limitations have held HRT back in 2010, but says the team has the budget to finish the season.

"Fortunately we made a good contract," he said, probably referring to his former teammate Karun Chandhok, whose season has been interrupted by the reportedly greater financial contribution of Sakon Yamamoto.

"It's hard to predict, but with the experience we have during these years of racing, we made a contract that bypasses the complicated situations that can arise.

"But this is not a disappointment," he insisted. "I have to accept the difficulties. It is a year of opportunity. It is harder and harder to come in (to F1).

"As much as I do not have a competitive car, I'm here," added Senna. "It has been a great learning experience."