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Pertamina seeks confirmation over Rio's destiny in F1 racing team
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Indonesian racer Rio Haryanto drives his MRT05 car during a practice session at Sakhir circuit in Bahrain on April, 1. (ANTARA FOTO/Manor GP Racing)
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s the main sponsor of Indonesian Formula 1 (F1) racer, Rio Haryanto, Pertamina has sent an official letter to the Manor Racing team to ask for confirmation regarding the 23-year-old racer’s destiny in the world’s most watched race.
Rio has raced in 11 series of the 2016 racing season. However, his racing career may soon end as he has yet to pay 7 million euro of his total 15 million euro payment. Pertamina has paid 5 million euro while Rio paid 3 million euro to the F1 team.
"We have sent an official letter to ask for a way to keep Rio driving until the end of season. Manor have said that they will respond on Wednesday," said Pertamina’s spokeswoman Wianda Pusponegoro as quoted by Antara news agency in Jakarta on Saturday night.
Wianda explained that Pertamina needed assurance about Rio’s position in the team before paying the remaining sponsorship funds. "We expect an assurance, so that we can disburse the remaining sponsorship funds," she said.
Pertamina, Wianda continued, also expected that the racing team would consider Rio’s driving skills and performance aside from the sponsorship funds.
Rio, the first Indonesian to compete in the most popular car race in the world, finished in 21st position of 22 racers in the latest Hungary grand prix. (ags)
