Colton Herta is set to test for Alpine later this month as the team does everything it can to grease the wheels of the deal to sign Pierre Gasly from AlphaTauri.
Red Bull are willing to allow the Frenchman to leave a year early, providing they are fairly compensated and can replace him with their preferred candidate. That chosen racer is IndyCar racer Herta, but the American does not currently qualify for a superlicence.
In a bid to boost Herta's F1 credentials, Alpine have offered him a test to help convince the FIA to bend the rules and allow him to join the sport. But if not, and Gasly is not allowed to leave AlphaTauri, the Enstone team is keeping its options open.
According to Motorsport.com, three other drivers are set to join Herta in a test event in Budapest later this month. That includes one of their development drivers Jack Doohan, who has emerged as the home-grown contender for the seat Oscar Piastri declined to fill.
Nyck de Vries, F1's man of the moment, is also set to take part as he bids for a place in the sport for the first time, and in the wake of his impressive debut as a stand-in for Alex Albon at Williams. The other driver is Antonio Giovinazzi, who was let go by Alfa Romeo last year but could return after one season away.
Both de Vries and Giovinazzi are considered to be candidates for the seats available at Haas and Alpine. Given Laurent Rossi's comments about preferring a driver with experience, the latter may opt for the Italian if they cannot get their Gasly deal over the line.
"We need someone who helps develop the team, who helps develop the car," said Alpine's chief executive. "We need a seasoned enough, effective enough driver who will score points right away and also take the team up with him. These are criteria we are looking at."
Giovinazzi took part in FP1 at Monza for Haas, and is expected to do so again at the United States Grand Prix next month. He remains contracted to Ferrari, which would likely boost his chances for that seat alongside Kevin Magnussen, but he would be released if he lands a chance race with Alpine.
"I want to be here next year for sure, it's not a secret, but it's not on my hands," said the 28-year-old. "So let's see what we can do, and for now I focus on doing a great job in these two sessions. One is over, now we have another one."
