Alpine driver saga: Schumacher declared a contender

Mick Schumacher is a candidate for the vacant Alpine seat, according to Uncle and former F1 driver Ralf.

Schumacher's Haas future remains "up in the air" despite an improvement upon his rookie season, with points finally coming at this season's British Grand Prix.

Question marks were raised over the German's performance given his struggles in matching team-mate Kevin Magnussen early in the campaign after the Dane returned from a year's sabbatical to replace Nikita Mazepin.

Yet Schumacher bounced back with his top 10 at Silverstone backed by a second-consecutive points finish in Austria - arguably his best performance in F1.

Alpine's driver line-up for 2023 is as yet undecided after Fernando Alonso's shock move to Aston Martin was announced.

Oscar Piastri was given the call-up, only for the reigning F2 champion to deny the promotion and claim he would not race for the French manufacturer next season. With the Australian expected to go to McLaren, his predecessor Daniel Ricciardo is expected to move in the opposite direction - though Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer suggested there was a 14-man shortlist for the seat.

Speaking to Sky Germany, former F1 race winner Ralf explained: "Mick has not yet signed a contract.

"Therefore, he would be a candidate - a candidate with speed as we have seen.

"Nico Hulkenberg is also still in the starting blocks. Then there is the question of Daniel Ricciardo.

"Personally, I can't imagine that he would get another chance in Formula 1. But I don't know who Alpine should take at the moment."

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