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Kamui Kobayashi has thanked the fans who have tried to help save his Formula 1 career by backing a fundraising website.
After losing his Sauber drive because he could not raise enough sponsorship money, Kobayashi has set up a 'Kamui Support' website where fans can donate money to help boost his funds.
The website has only been active for a few days, but the Japanese driver announced on Tuesday that it was generating great interest and he had already secured around £500,000.
In a message posted in Japanese on his Twitter account, Kobayashi said: "Thank you for your support from everyone for 'Kamui Support'. Thank you very much.
"As of November 27, the current fundraising total was 65,813,672 yen."
Although the £500,000 would not be enough to secure a drive on its own, a growing fund like that could prove useful in topping up any backing he has.
Kobayashi said at the weekend that he was in talks with another team - believed to be Force India - but that his chances rested on securing funding.
"We're just waiting for some money to come in," said Kobayashi. "We're waiting, we just need a sign.
"It will be difficult. I'm talking with another team, but it's difficult to say. If I don't talk [to other teams] it means I'm retired."
2013 Formula 1 line-up so far
Kobayashi's quest for a seat appears to be down to Force India and Caterham, with most of next year's field now settled:
Red Bull-Renault Sebastian Vettel Mark Webber Ferrari Fernando Alonso Felipe Massa McLaren-Mercedes Jenson Button Sergio Perez Lotus-Renault Kimi Raikkonen Romain Grosjean * Mercedes Lewis Hamilton Nico Rosberg Sauber-Ferrari Nico Hulkenberg Esteban Gutierrez Force India-Mercedes Paul di Resta drive available Williams-Renault Pastor Maldonado Valtteri Bottas * Toro Rosso-Ferrari Daniel Ricciardo Jean-Eric Vergne Caterham-Renault Charles Pic drive available Marussia-Cosworth Timo Glock Max Chilton * HRT-Cosworth** Pedro de la Rosa drive available * Drive not yet officially confirmed ** HRT team's future unclear
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