By Huw Alban
December 8 2005

In the week that the new Midland F1 Racing team hit the track, news has emerged that Nicky Pastorelli has bowed out of the Jerez test due to financial difficulties and could even be forced out of the team. Several news sources are declaring that Pastorelli's seat is in doubt today after a private investor withdrew on an agreement to support him. Pastorelli was the first confirmed driver signing for the team, and unless he and his management can resolve the situation it could very well be that he will be the first driver to leave the team.

"Of course it is a pity,” he told his official website. “Maybe there is a way to solve this problem shortly, but maybe not. At this point I won't burden the team unnecessarily with this test if it is not clear if there is a future for me with Midland F1."

"One of my private investors pulled out unfortunately," Pastorelli reportedly told F1Racing.net. "I am not sure if we can solve this situation… we just have to wait and see. I wouldn't be fair not to tell the team about my financial problems and test for them. That's why I called up Kolles right away to explain the current situation."

Despite being pressed, team boss Colin Kolles did not have much to say about the situation. "We will have a meeting with Nicky soon but I can not say much about it at the moment," he told F1Racing.net at the Jerez test.