Kanaan's Andretti drive in jeopardy

Although Michael Andretti's squad emphasised that it was determined to keep Kanaan if it could find new funding, the Brazilian has been given permission to look elsewhere for a seat following the loss of the 7-Eleven backing that his #11 car has carried since Kanaan joined the team - then known as Andretti Green - at the start of 2003.

"We are confirming today that 7-Eleven will not be returning as the primary sponsor of the #11 car next season," said Andretti's senior vice president and chief marketing officer John Lopes. "We are thankful for their many years of support and are proud of all we accomplished together.

"7-Eleven will continue to be an associate sponsor of our team through an ongoing contract in support of Danica Patrick's GoDaddy.com car.

"Our hope is to have Tony Kanaan and the #11 car as part of our IZOD IndyCar Series line-up again in 2011 and we are currently working very hard to find the necessary sponsorship to make that a reality.

"In the meantime and although he remains under contract with Andretti Autosport, we have given Tony and his management the permission to talk with other IndyCar team owners to explore what other alternatives might be available at this time."

Since joining the Andretti squad as it moved from Champ Car to IndyCar in '03, Kanaan has taken 14 race wins and claimed the 2004 series title. He was the highest-placed Andretti driver in this year's championship, in which he finished sixth.

Andretti Autosport has traditionally run four cars in IndyCar, with Kanaan joined by Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick this season.