Former F1 race winner Ralf Schumacher has suggested Red Bull has earmarked Fernando Alonso for a race seat from next season.
Two-time world champion Alonso is in his second season with Aston Martin, a team for which he impressed greatly with a rapid start last term, securing six podiums in the first eight races.
But the Spaniard is yet to have an opportunity to return to the top step of the podium for the first time in over a decade and, though hinting he first has to decide whether he wants to continue in F1 beyond the current campaign, is seemingly keeping his options open.
Mercedes has a seat open after the announcement that Lewis Hamilton will be switching to Ferrari at the end of the year, whilst at Sergio Perez faces an uncertain future at Red Bull.
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With speculation over Alonso's future swirling, speaking to Sky Deutschland at the Australian Grand Prix, Schumacher said: "There seems to be big intentions in the background to bring Fernando Alonso into the cockpit next year in order to have another strong driver if Max Verstappen leaves the team."
"There are these rumours, and these rumours and information are pretty good.
"If Red Bull were to have a car with which he could win - of course, Alonso really wants that.
"You saw what he did again at the weekend, how fast he was, how he shifted gears, how he stopped George Russell from overtaking.
"He knows what he wants and I think he would fit in well."
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