Bruno Senna is confident "one way or another" he will be racing in Formula One next season despite negotiations being overshadowed by teams' financial worries.
Senna has been forced to bide his time and look on from afar this year as it appeared at one stage he would be driving for Honda.
Although the Japanese manufacturer pulled out of the sport and re-emerged in the guise of Brawn GP, the team opted to re-sign Rubens Barrichello for this season, leaving Senna kicking his heels.
Senna, who has competed in endurance racing in the Le Mans Series this year to keep his hand in, is firmly entrenched in talks with four F1 teams for 2010.
One of the three new entrants in Campos Racing are understood to be leading the chase, while Manor, as well as established names such as Williams, Toyota and Force India, have also been mentioned.
Senna, though, concedes times are hard in F1 as the teams attempt to address their budgets, including what to pay their drivers.
"At the moment we're negotiating for a Formula One seat with quite a few teams - some more advanced than others," Senna said at a GAME event to promote EA's Need for Speed: Shift.
"Unfortunately, we're still a bit far away from actually bagging anything, but we're going forward.
"It's because Formula One is in a very difficult moment, and this is not really helping my case very much.
"Some teams are struggling financially, to know where they're going to be next year, which engine they're going to use.
"There are many doubts for all the teams, even for those people would not imagine having problems, they are in a bit of difficulty.
"It's definitely not the easiest time in Formula One."
Yet the 25-year-old nephew of legendary three-times champion Ayrton Senna rates his chances of being on the grid for the opening grand prix of next year in Bahrain as "pretty high".
Senna, though, appreciates beggars cannot be choosers when it comes to the honour of being a Formula One driver.
"We've been dealing with some of the teams and we know which one is the best option," added Senna.
"The fact is it's better to be with a team currently there, knowing the team will continue growing, rather than starting from zero.
"Obviously what I would like is to be with a team currently in F1, but that might not be the case.
"We're trying, and if not, we should be there with one of the new teams. We're definitely working hard and hopefully we'll get it.
"One way or another we'll be there, and hopefully next year I'll be racing in at least 18 grands prix."
You would be forgiven for thinking it is his name alone that is able to open doors, and while it is true it does carry weight, the talent he possesses is not to be overlooked.
The 2008 GP2 Series runner-up remarked: "Fortunately I'm in a position where both my talent and name count quite a lot.
"The teams want me because they believe I'm good enough, and all the teams believe in potential for sponsorship and for commercial opportunities.
"So being successful in motor racing and having the surname are helping me a lot, especially if there is competition from other drivers from GP2, or in Formula One right now."