» And perhaps not surprisingly…

Hispania Racing needs Narain Karthikeyan’s prospective team-mate to bring at least €10 million in backing in order to secure a race seat at the Spanish outfit for the 2011 season.

Reports in Germany’s Bild have linked a handful of drivers – namely Davide Valsecchi, Christian Klien and Pedro de la Rosa – to what is believed to be the only remaining seat on the grid, although the team’s boss Colin Kolles has denied suggestions that the seat will be sold to the highest bidder.

“No one needs to come with a suitcase full of cash. It will be enough to have the guarantees of sponsors,” he is quoted as saying.

“We’re not the only ones doing that,” he added.

The reported asking price of €10 million equates to roughly a third of the team’s annual budget.

[Original image via AUTOSPORT]