Bernie Ecclestone has admitted that he is working hard to ensure that Felipe Massa does not drop out of Formula One.

Currently, Massa is the last remaining Brazilian F1 driver on the grid but he has lost his Ferrari seat and will be replaced by Kimi Raikkonen for the 2014 season.

Massa’s manager, Nicholas Todt, is working hard to tap into Brazilian sponsors to ensure that Massa will be in contention for a ride with the Lotus, Williams, Force India or Sauber F1 teams.

Brazil and South America are important markets for F1 and the sport’s chief whip, Bernie Ecclestone, told the O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, “I am trying to help; it’s not easy, but we’re working on it.”

Ecclestone admitted that Massa’s future in F1 could depend on whether he can attract sponsorship to take with him to his next team.

“If Felipe gets some sponsors, everything will change and Brazil should have a driver on the grid in 2014,” Ecclestone said. “A strong economy like the one in Brazil is in a good position to invest in a driver,” he added.