After announcing that his team's car for the 2010 season has already passed the frontal and lateral crash tests imposed by the FIA, Senna now told the reporters that his deal with the Spanish outfit is not related to sponsorship money. In other words, he is not a pay-driver for Campos Grand Prix, despite several reports suggesting that major Brazilian companies had backed his debut in the series.
“The contract I have done does not depend on taking sponsorship to the team,” said Senna, in an interview with Brazil's Radio Bandeirantes.
Earlier this year, two major Brazilian based companies were believed to push for a young countryman to make his debut in Formula One. As Nelsinho Piquet's future was heavily affected by his involvement in the crash gate and Rubens Barrichello's age doesn't quite qualify him for the aforementioned profile, Senna was regarded as the top solution for companies such as Embratel (Brazilian Telecommunications Company) and oil giant Petrobras.
However, his one year deal with Campos Grand Prix apparently doesn't include backing from those companies. Although talking like a Campos driver and acting like a Campos driver, Senna will officially become a Campos driver later today, as an announcement from the team is expected to surface in the media any time now.
Despite his comments on the Campos contract, don't be surprised if the Brazilian's car will bear next year the logos of at least one of those companies throughout the season.
Google News