Yuki Tsunoda has said he would be "surprised" if Franco Colapinto is not under consideration from Red Bull for a race seat next season.
The Argentine driver has taken F1 by storm since replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams from the Italian Grand Prix onwards.
Having claimed five points across his first six grand prix, the 21-year-old has already beaten the American's return five-fold from 30 fewer starts.
It has led to considerable chatter surrounding where he will continue his F1 career. His current seat belongs to Carlos Sainz in the long term and sentiment throughout the paddock is that he has done enough to warrant a full-time drive.
James Vowles tried and failed to secure him a seat at Stake, with Gabriel Bortoleto ultimately the driver chosen to replace Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. The FIA F3 drivers' champion and F2 points leader will partner Nico Hulkenberg next year.
The sole remaining door left open to Colapinto is only slightly ajar. RB has yet to finalise its driver line-up for 2025, but Liam Lawson is in the prime position to partner Tsunoda.
However, with the fluid contract situation between the two Red Bull squads, there could also still be changes at the main team.
Sergio Perez's staying power is quickly diminishing, despite being contracted for next season. If he is jettisoned out, that would likely pave the way for either of RB's current drivers to partner Max Verstappen.
If that does come to pass, Colapinto would be well-positioned to beat out current Red Bull reserve driver Isack Hadjar for the vacated seat.
To Tsunoda, who currently looks the more likely driver to stay with RB in that eventuality, it would not come as a shock.
"He's definitely doing a good job," the 24-year-old told media including RacingNews365 when asked about rumours linking Colapinto to Red Bull and RB.
"To be honest, I don't know much about those things and I didn't see much, [but] if it's not an option, I'll be surprised.
"He's doing well and he doesn't have a seat so far for next season... so yeah, I think so."
Also interesting:
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