Philippe looking at other options

"Unfortunately I have to," said the Frenchman, who won the penultimate round of last season. "As much as I want to race in the Champ Car series, I am expected to bring money and I'm not going to do that. I don't have a cent to bring.

"I'm down in Melbourne and I went to the Formula One paddock and introduced myself around to people like Flavio Briatore.

"I'm not prepared to pay for a test drive, and I don't want to move down to GP2. But if I got an offer of a test drive or to become one of Renault's development drivers, I'd take it."

Philippe, who last year drove for CTE Racing-HVM which has since morphed into Minardi USA, said that he is still hopeful of landing a seat in Champ Cars, but he has a number of other ambitions should that fail to come off.

"I'm looking at every top open wheel racing series at the moment, but I'm also looking at what my options are in V8 Supercars - hey, I might even get paid to race in that! - ALMS, and also the Le Mans 24 Hours.

"I want to be supportive of Champ Cars," Philippe continued. "I believe it is the best series in the world for racing, but I don't want to be expected to bring money each time. And how can you find a sponsor who wants to put $2m into a series that hasn't had a television profile for the last six years?

"So I decided it's time to take my destiny in my own hands. I don't think I'm a superstar or anything like that, but I'm not going to pay to drive. I want to have a drive on merit and talent."