Bernie Ecclestone helping Felipe Nasr stay in F1

Bernie Ecclestone has admitted that he is helping Felipe Nasr remain on the grid next year.

The F1 supremo is reportedly keen to keep Nasr on the grid next year to help the Brazilian TV market in the wake of Felipe Massa's imminent departure.

However, Ecclestone refused to shed any light on the situation when asked by Globo.

"At this moment I can't say," he said. "I hope so, I really want to see him on the grid in 2017."

He did however confirm that he has been helping the 24-year-old

"Yes, and I will continue to help, but I do not have the ability to impose a driver on a team," he said.