Haryanto to return in 2017 (Update)

Rio Haryanto – no check, no drive

UPDATE This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. Rio Haryanto's hopes of being on the Formula 1 grid in 2017 have been dealt a fresh blow after losing financial backing from his primary sponsor, Pertamina.

Pertamina has now doubled down on its withdrawals, announcing in a statement on Tuesday it wouldn't continue with Haryanto into 2017 despite making the "maximal effort" to get Haryanto back into a seat.

"This year there will not be a continuation of participation by Pertamina in F1," spokeswoman Wianda Pusponegoro said in the statement, via Reuters.

10/28/16 Manor reserve driver Rio Haryanto has estimated that he has a "50/50" chance of returning to the Formula 1 grid next season, after losing his race seat earlier this year.

Haryanto raced alongside Pascal Wehrlein for the first half of the 2016 campaign, but lost his place to Esteban Ocon over the sport's summer break, due to a lack of funds.

Haryanto accepted an offer to stay involved at Manor as its reserve driver, meaning he still attends Grands Prix, and is now working to secure a comeback for 2017.

"It's a shame that I couldn't do the full season with Manor this year, but all in all, I'm still here to learn," the Indonesian racer, 23, explained to Motorsport.com.

"It's going very well and I'm currently working to get back for next year.

"There are some good options. I think the chances [of returning to Formula 1 for 2017] are still, I'd say, 50/50. We'll see, I hope there will be some good news coming.

"We're looking at a few options. For sure, one of them is Manor."

Haryanto added that he is not looking outside Formula 1 at present.

"At the moment the priority is still Formula 1. I still haven't really looked at other categories, the main priority is I want to be in Formula 1," he went on to comment.