Senna hopes to finalise F1 plans soon

Bruno Senna is hoping to finalise his winter Formula One testing plans within the next week, with his first run expected to be with Honda Racing at Barcelona in November

The Brazilian is in talks with several teams about F1 opportunities for 2009, and has been linked with race seats at both Honda and Scuderia Toro Rosso.

Although discussions with Honda about a test in November are believed to be at an advanced stage, Senna insists that nothing has been officially signed yet. However, he is hoping to get matters sorted soon.

"We are talking to people and everybody is only going to decide after the championship is over as they have their contracts to fulfil, and they cannot do anything before that," Senna told autosport.com in Brazil.

"It is no secret that I have been talking to these people, to Honda, Toro Rosso and other teams. But there is nothing signed yet with anyone. It is important for people to know that nothing is signed and I have not signed a contract for next year."

When asked when he expected to get his plans sorted, Senna said: "I think next week will be the expected time to get announced for testing in November, and I hope it comes up sooner rather than later. It is a nervous time for drivers when you are negotiating for next year and trying to work out what you are going to do."

Senna believes he is ready to make the step up from GP2, although has not ruled out another season in the feeder category if there are no chances for him in F1.

"Even if I have to do another year in GP2 - I will learn a lot and it will prepare me even more for F1," he said. "But, I think I could go to F1, do well enough and learn enough just by doing it. And I think doing that would be a better position than doing another season in GP2. But we have to wait and see what the conditions present."

Sources suggest that Mexican communications company Telmex, which owns Senna's personal backers Embratel, are in talks with Honda Racing about a potential sponsorship deal for next year if Senna is handed a race seat.

Honda Racing have already clinched a major sponsorship deal with Brazilian oil company Petrobras for next year, which could be worth as much as $20 million (USD).