Indonesian sports ministry disappointed for Haryanto

Despite the support provided by the firm Pertamina, a state oil company in Indonesia, Rio Haryanto was finally replaced at Manor Racing by Frenchman Esteban Ocon for the last Grands Prix of 2016 starting with the next Belgian Grand Prix at the end of August. The driver's management had informed the team of its difficulties in honoring the conditions of the contract signed with Manor at the start of the season.

A decision which arouses legitimate disappointment within the national government, which nevertheless tried everything to help its driver continue his commitment with Dave Ryan's team. « The Ministry of Sports is disappointed with this decision, because Dave Ryan had promised that Rio Haryanto would play a full season in F1, explains spokesperson Gatot Dewa Broto in a press release.

“We understand the situation which has led to Manor asking Rio and its management to pay the remaining costs before the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 24. It also emerged that Manor gave Rio another chance until the German Grand Prix. The Ministry of Sports appreciates this.

We asked to use a state budget to help Rio, but this was not authorized. Parliament fully supports Rio's commitment to F1 but using the state budget is not an option. »