1
Indonesia's Sports Ministry has said they're disappointed that Rio Haryanto will be replaced by Esteban Ocon but understanding of the decision.
Although contracted for the full season, Haryanto's backing only stretched as far as the first half of the season, and despite the Indonesian government's best efforts, the funding, reportedly in the region of €7 million, could not be found.
"The Sports Ministry is disappointed with the decision, as Manor's racing director Dave Ryan in February promised Rio Haryanto would race a full season in F1. Moreover, Manor's team director Abdulla Boulsien in June said Rio is part of the team's long term plan for at least two years," ministry spokesman Gatot Dewa Broto said in a statement.
"We understand the situation in which Manor asked Rio and his management to pay the remaining fees before the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 24 and it turned out that Manor gave another chance for Rio to race until German Grand Prix. Sports Ministry appreciates that."
The statement also revealed that the Sports Ministry had tried to use state funding to keep Haryanto in F1 but was blocked.
"We asked to use state budget to finance Rio, but it wasn't allowed by the lawmakers. The parliament fully supports Rio's involvement in F1 but using the state budget is not the option," said Broto.
Mercedes-backed Ocon's deal to replace Haryanto is thought to include an agreement that will give the team a further discount on their Mercedes engines, similar to the agreement already in place with Pascal Wehrlein.
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
4 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Rio Haryanto
613,596 comments on Mercedes 57 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Mercedes
Replies (1)
Login to replydenis1304
Posts: 284
money talks...