Alfa Romeo confirm "five or six names" on Bottas team-mate shortlist

Alfa Romeo team principal Fred Vasseur has revealed there are "five or six names" on the list of potential team-mates for Valtteri Bottas in 2022.

On Monday, Alfa Romeo announced the Finn will join the team next season from Mercedes as the replacement for his retiring countryman Kimi Raikkonen.

The identity of his team-mate remains the subject of much speculation with current driver Antonio Giovinazzi in the frame, along with Guanyu Zhou, Nyck de Vries, Robert Shwartzman, Callum Ilott and Mick Schumacher.

“It is not because you are talking to someone that they are on the list," said Vasseur, seated alongside AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost.

"Franz is always speaking with half of the grid because we are working in the same paddock.

“But it is not because you are speaking with someone that you want to have the guy in the car next year."

Pressed on the number of drivers fighting for what has now become the most-prized seat in F1, Vasseur replied: "There are five or six names on the list.”

Asked to confirm the identities of these drivers, Vasseur added: “I don’t want to give you names because if I forget someone it will be a drama.”

With few seats remaining on the F1 grid for next year, all eyes are on Alfa Romeo but Vasseur is adamant he will not be rushed into making a decision with the team keen to view the progress of the F2 drivers.

"We always said that we want to have a look also in the junior series," he added.

"They are doing two races in a row with Monza and Sochi and probably by the end of September, with my shareholders, we will discuss the point.”

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