Indonesian Rio Haryanto Seeking $16M To Realize Formula One Dream

Indonesian Rio Haryanto needs to raise €15M ($16.3M) to realize his dream of racing in F1 "with the Manor Marussia team next season," according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS. The Jakarta Post reported that Youth & Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi "was lobbying businesses and state-owned enterprises to garner support for the 22-year-old, who tested for Marussia in Abu Dhabi this month." It added that Haryanto can count on some €5M ($5.4M) from sponsor Pertamina, the state-owned Indonesian oil and gas company. Nahrawi said, "I need to find a perfect formula for Rio's financial support to meet Manor team's requirement." Nahrawi "issued a statement earlier in the month stating that his ministry would guarantee the money in return for branding to promote Indonesia and associated companies." Tail-enders Manor, which finished the '15 season last and without a point, is "the only team yet to announce any drivers" for '16 (REUTERS, 12/19).