Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn has confirmed that Banco do Brasil will end its sponsorship deal with the Swiss outfit.
The news has cast doubt over Felipe Nasr’s future in the team, with Banco do Brasil being one of his main backers.
The Brazilian debuted in F1 with Sauber in 2015 and was retained for this season, but the team has yet to confirm who will partner Marcus Ericsson in 2017.
During the FIA press conference on Friday, Kaltenborn confirmed Banco do Brasil will end its sponsor deal, following recent reports.
“Well that’s correct that the bank informed us as well that they’ve interrupted their 2017 sponsorship programme,” she explained.
Kaltenborn then went on to add that the second seat is still vacant and the team continues to evaluate its options for next year.
“Our seat is still open,” she explained. “We aren’t choosing that in our assessments we’re making and that’s all there is to say of it.”
Recent reports suggest Manor driver and Mercedes junior Pascal Wehrlein is in contention for the Sauber seat.
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