Rios mother, Indah Pennywati, said he is currently in the UK, where Manors base camp is located, after finishing 15th in the 6th Formula One race in Monaco last week.
"He is planning to leave for Canada on Saturday to prepare for the seventh race there," she disclosed.
When asked whether Rio has any experience of racing in Canada, Pennywati conceded he did not have such an experience, but will put in his best.
"We are hoping that his performance will be better than during the previous races," she continued.
On another note, Pennywati pointed out that till date, the management was still to acquire a sponsorship to cover the remaining contract amount to be paid to Manor Racing.
In order to compete in the 2016 F1, the 23 year-old racer is bound by a contract of 15 million euros with Manor Racing, which he has paid in half. "We are striving to find a sponsor to cover the remaining amount of 7.5 million euros," Pennywati informed.
She also said most potential sponsors are under the impression that Rios expenses are fully funded by the government. As a matter of fact, Pertamina did indeed gave him a grant in the form of sponsorship funds, but along with his own funding, the total amount covered only 7.5 million euros.
According to the contract, Manor Racing is in a position to find other F1 drivers if Rio fails to confirm that he can continue with the contract."We are doing our best to find a sponsor," she affirmed.
Pennywati clarified that they have actually crossed the deadline to confirm the contract to Manor, but Rios management is doing everything they can to give them the opportunity to find a sponsor before they decide to cut all ties with Rio. "That is the only thing they ask from us, really," she concluded.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
