Felipe Nasr took a bid for a works seat in Formula 1 all the way to the top last week, according to a Brazilian media outlet.
Last week, the Sauber driver was forced to deny claims that he took a side in Brazil's controversial current political situation by visiting the acting president Michel Temer.
"I didn't come to show support," the Brazilian insisted to O Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper. "I came as a representative of Brazil to show my willingness to help the country."
However, Rio-based newspaper O Globo claims that Nasr was accompanied to the meeting not only by his manager Steve Robertson, but also an official of the Brazilian state Parana.
In Parana, there is a Renault road car factory, and O Globo claims that Nasr's presidential visit was not just a simple meet and greet.
"The Sauber driver was asking for help in trying to convince Renault to hire him for the 2017 season," the report said.
The 2016 season continues with the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend.
