F1: Loss of government backing dims Haryanto's hopes of return

The hopes of Indonesia's first Formula 1 driver, Rio Haryanto, to return in 2017 have suffered a major setback with the announcement by the country's state-owned energy company Pertamina that it is ending its sponsorship of his efforts.

"This year there will not be a continuation of participation by Pertamina in F1," spokeswoman Wianda Pusponegoro said in a statement. "Of course we regret this very much, but we have already made maximal efforts for Rio and Indonesia," she said.

Haryanto's manager said that he and his client remain hopeful despite Pertamina's decision.

"We are still working on a plan to keep Rio in Formula 1," manager Piers Hunnisett told Reuters. "People in the Formula 1 world felt he did a good job and he deserves to be there."

Haryanto made his debut with the Manor team last season, alongside Pascal Wehrlein, but was replaced by French rookie Esteban Ocon after the German Grand Prix in July. Ocon has joined Force India for 2017 while Mercedes protege Wehrlein is expected to join Sauber this year. That would leave Manor's two seats as the only remaining vacancies, amid ongoing uncertainty over the team's ownership. Manor admitted in November it was in "advanced talks" regarding a majority stake in the team.

Among those thought to be in line for race drivers at Manor are Esteban Gutierrez, who was left without a seat after Haas opted to replace him with Kevin Magnussen, and Felipe Nasr, who drove for Sauber last year but is also beset by funding issues after losing his sponsor Banco do Brasil.