Indonesian F1 driver Rio Haryanto has "suffered a major setback in his bid to return to Formula One this season after state-owned energy company Pertamina announced it was ending its sponsorship," according to Fergus Jensen of REUTERS. Noting that Pertamina could not meet a sponsorship deadline, spokesperson Wianda Pusponegoro said, "This year there will not be a continuation of participation by Pertamina in F1." Haryanto, the first Indonesian to race in F1 and only Asian driver on the grid last season, said in a text message that he had "not yet confirmed" his position and "hoped to reach a decision as soon as possible." Haryanto's agent, Piers Hunnisett, said, "We are still working on a plan to keep Rio in Formula One." Pertamina has been Haryanto's "constant" backer in the "costly" sport, and Hunnisett said last month that "while he was looking for other non-government backers he was confident" that Pertamina would continue to sponsor Haryanto. The oil and gas company's CEO, Dwi Soetjipto, said last February that the company was contributing €5M to "help secure" Haryanto's '16 seat at Manor (REUTERS, 1/3).
