THIS will be the month that the industry behind Fairuz Fauzy takes a big step towards reconciliation with signs of an exit from Formula One and towards a new path in the United States. There is a hint of a collective agreement between those behind Fairuz's career that the priority should be for the 27-year-old to continue racing.
Fairuz, who turns 28 on Oct 24 this year, is running out of time in his bid to secure a slot in F1 ahead of the new season, be it in a race seat or as a test driver. However, there remain other options within the sport.
"We will know sometime this month. I don't make the decisions myself, it is up to my management," said Fairuz, who three weeks ago unceremoniously announced his departure from Malaysian outfit Team Lotus, whom he served as reserve driver in the 2010 season.
"I pray for the best options to come my way. Anything can happen and I haven't given up on F1 yet. We are still in negotiations and God willing, my chances will be good," said Fairuz.
"But the main priority will be for me to keep on racing. If there are no breakthroughs in F1, then America is an option."
There has been talk of Fairuz following in the footsteps of former F1 drivers, Japan's Takuma Sato and Britain's Justin Wilson into the 14-round Indycar series, a series which is touted as the main rival to F1.
The series is held predominantly in North America, with a round each in Brazil and Japan, with seven of the rounds held on oval tracks.
Fairuz admitted that there has been talk about moving to the Indycar series, but there is yet to be anything concrete.
"There have been agents talking to us, but I cannot confirm anything yet. There's nothing concrete. It was just talk, there was an offer, but we don't even know which team," said Fairuz.
Having ended 2009 as runner-up in the Formula 3.5 World Series by Renault (WSBR), Fairuz spent 2010 on the sidelines, completing just five test sessions for the Lotus Racing team that will this year be known as Team Lotus.
"I have to keep on racing. Where that will be, we will know this month," he said.
Read more: New route for Fairuz http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/70faifi/Article#ixzz19rgVA1F3
Fairuz, who turns 28 on Oct 24 this year, is running out of time in his bid to secure a slot in F1 ahead of the new season, be it in a race seat or as a test driver. However, there remain other options within the sport.
"We will know sometime this month. I don't make the decisions myself, it is up to my management," said Fairuz, who three weeks ago unceremoniously announced his departure from Malaysian outfit Team Lotus, whom he served as reserve driver in the 2010 season.
"I pray for the best options to come my way. Anything can happen and I haven't given up on F1 yet. We are still in negotiations and God willing, my chances will be good," said Fairuz.
"But the main priority will be for me to keep on racing. If there are no breakthroughs in F1, then America is an option."
There has been talk of Fairuz following in the footsteps of former F1 drivers, Japan's Takuma Sato and Britain's Justin Wilson into the 14-round Indycar series, a series which is touted as the main rival to F1.
The series is held predominantly in North America, with a round each in Brazil and Japan, with seven of the rounds held on oval tracks.
Fairuz admitted that there has been talk about moving to the Indycar series, but there is yet to be anything concrete.
"There have been agents talking to us, but I cannot confirm anything yet. There's nothing concrete. It was just talk, there was an offer, but we don't even know which team," said Fairuz.
Having ended 2009 as runner-up in the Formula 3.5 World Series by Renault (WSBR), Fairuz spent 2010 on the sidelines, completing just five test sessions for the Lotus Racing team that will this year be known as Team Lotus.
"I have to keep on racing. Where that will be, we will know this month," he said.
Read more: New route for Fairuz http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/70faifi/Article#ixzz19rgVA1F3
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