Pierre Gasly may get his move to Alpine after all, despite the collapse of Red Bull's deal to bring American racer Colton Herta to Formula 1, after Nyck de Vries was reportedly spotted meeting Helmut Marko in Austria.
Herta was fancied by Red Bull to race for AlphaTauri next season. But, due to the FIA's current points system being unfavourable to IndyCar racers, he does not qualify for a superlicence and the sport's governing body appears unwilling to bend the rules in this case.
That placed Gasly's proposed move to Alpine in danger. The Frenchman is contracted to spend one more season after this with AlphaTauri, but would be allowed to leave if Red Bull can recruit an "exciting" alternative to take his place.
Herta was the man they chose, so news that the deal appears to be dead in the water would have placed Gasly's move in jeopardy. But it may still go through after all, as it appears Red Bull have picked out another option they like the look of.
Dutch driver de Vries is a man in demand, after a stellar F1 debut at last weekend's Italian Grand Prix. He stepped in for the unwell Alex Albon at short notice, qualified well and finished ninth in the race – the best result Williams have managed all season.
He now looks likely to land a race seat for the first time. Williams were considered to be front runners, as they seek a replacement for Nicholas Latifi, while Alpine also have him on their shortlist of candidates to partner Esteban Ocon next year if their Gasly move breaks down.
But now AlphaTauri have emerged as another potential destination. And it appears it is an option the Dutchman would consider, given a report from Motorsport Magazin journalist Christian Menath that he has been spotted in Graz meeting Marko.
The Red Bull adviser is the leader of the team's driver development programme, and has a big say in which drivers are given a place at the sister team AlphaTauri. If Marko gives his blessing, and De Vries chooses to join the Red Bull stable, he could partner Yuki Tsunoda next season and allow Gasly to complete his desired move to Alpine.
A failure to secure De Vries' signature could see Williams turn instead to one of their own development drivers. Logan Sargeant has impressed in F2 this season, and could be the American to land an F1 race seat even after Herta's failed attempt to enter the sport next year.
