Fernando Alonso could be targeted by Andretti Autosport if they are successful in their bid to launch a new Formula 1 team.
The company, owned by Michael Andretti – himself a former F1 racer and son of champion Mario – already participates in a wide range of series including IndyCar and Formula E. And they could add F1 to that list in the near future, having worked hard to join the grid.
Their plan to buy Sauber last season fell through, leaving them to switch tactic and work to create their own team. There has been some resistance from within the sport and the FIA has yet to grant the Andrettis permission, but already they have begun construction on a massive new £166m facility in Fishers, Indiana.
If successful, there will be two more places on the grid per year for drivers to take advantage of. Asked if he had any early ideas as to who might race for the team if given permission to join, Andretti Snr admitted it is "very possible" they could make a move for double world champion Alonso.
"His experience is immeasurable and it would be a tremendous thing for us, so we're going to look at it. I think he wants to keep racing and he's still in his prime," he said. He also went on to bring up the name of an American driver, who was wanted by AlphaTauri for 2023 before the FIA denied him a superlicence.
"One of the drivers who 99% would be in the team is Colton Herta, but he would need someone with more experience alongside him," Andretti added. "This would make the team much more complete and that is what is being discussed right now as part of the plan.
"The main goal would be to have a very experienced driver alongside a new talent, and to have at least one American driver in the team." Alonso is understandably a desirable option for Andretti, but there are questions over whether he would be available.
The Spaniard has just joined Aston Martin on a multi-year deal, meaning he is tied down for Andretti's targeted entry date of 2024. His contract could still be bought out, but the fee to do so may be deemed too high considering Alonso turns 42 next July.
As for Herta, the IndyCar racer would still face the same hurdle if Andretti tried to hand him an F1 race seat. He would need to earn enough superlicence points for the FIA to grant him permission to enter the sport.
