Esteban Gutierrez believes Haas' delayed decision in deciding upon its driver line-up for 2017 may have hampered his chances of finding a seat elsewhere.
The Mexican's Formula One future has been left hanging in the balance as Haas continues to deliberate over its line-up for next season. Romain Grosjean is expected to stay at the team for at least another year, however the situation is less clear for Gutierrez.
In the last week Renault's Kevin Magnussen has been strongly linked with Gutierrez's Haas seat after it was confirmed the French manufacturer is retaining Jolyon Palmer as Nico Hulkenberg's teammate for 2017. Gutierrez admits Haas' late decision could mean he struggles to find a drive if Magnussen's speculated move to the American outfit comes to fruition.
"Probably it's part of the equation," Gutierrez said. "I mean we are in November with two races to go, so it's probably a bit late to take the decision but it's their team and it's not really in my hands. I mean I've been doing my best all through the year, no matter what the circumstances were, which I think all of you are aware. It hasn't been an easy year and I will keep doing the same way until the end."
If Magnussen does sign for Haas, it would leave just seats remaining at Sauber and Manor for next year.
When asked if he had ruled out a possible return to Sauber -- who he drove for between 2013 and 2014 during his first stint in F1 -- the Mexican replied: "To be honest, no. That's something we think about when the [Haas] decision is made.
"I think it's very clear that a decision will be made very soon. My future is in the teams hands. At the moment there is a lot of talks up and down but it is the way it is. They've taken a bit long to take the decision and hopefully it comes out positively. I'm going to pushing and fighting until the end."