Former Formula 1 driver, Timo Glock, believes that Alpine would be a good move for Haas racer Mick Schumacher, who is out of contract at the end of this season.
The 23-year-old signed with Haas last year alongside fellow rookie Nikita Mazepin, and neither of them were able to score points in an underperforming car.
The American side had spent the entirety of last season, and indeed the year before, preparing for the new technical regulations set to be introduced this year.
The initial expectation was that the two drivers would be able to reach the top 10 at some stage, but they would end up doing so with Kevin Magnussen, who replaced Mazepin when he was dropped amid Russia’s invasion of sovereign Ukraine.
READ: Haas open to replacing Mick Schumacher with Daniel Ricciardo or Nico Hulkenberg
The Danish driver has scored points four times this year, two of which came in the opening two rounds of the season in Bahrain and Jeddah.
A combination of misfortune and mistakes from Schumacher denied him his first Formula 1 points until the British Grand Prix, when he finished eighth.
He immediately followed that up with P6 after an assertive performance in Austria, but neither Haas driver has scored points in the last three races.
Despite the upturn in form, having now out-qualified Magnussen three times this year, the young German still does not have a seat for next season.
He is also set to split from the Ferrari driver academy [FDA] which, depending on the Scuderia’s insistence, or lack thereof, on a Ferrari-linked driver being in the Haas car next year, could prove detrimental to Schumacher’s chances of staying on the grid.
However, with options available elsewhere in the paddock, Glock believes that his compatriot will be sticking around next season having shown his worth of late.
“His chances of staying in F1 are still very good, he has shown an upward trend in the past few races,” he told Sky Germany.
“After the knot burst and he scored his first points, he has had a very good run, he got a lot out of his package.”
Alpine are currently looking for a driver to partner Esteban Ocon next season following Fernando Alonso’s signature for Aston Martin, and Oscar Piastri’s deal with McLaren.
It is possible that the Enstone-based team might bring back Daniel Ricciardo, who is leaving McLaren at the end of next season, or that they could swoop in for AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly.
Schumacher is another viable candidate, and Glock sees that as a solid move for the 2020 Formula 2 champion were it to transpire.
“If he can make a leap to a team like Alpine, then that would of course be ideal for him to take the next step,” he added.
Further, the involvement of Audi, who are set to buy Sauber in 2026, could be an opportunity for Schumacher to get in on the ground floor.
The German motoring giant have made it clear that they want a German in their car when they enter.
“Alfa Romeo will eventually become Audi, it may well be that that becomes an option for him,” explained Glock.
“That would of course be a dream scenario for the future: German manufacturer, German driver.”
It is still not clear what Williams intend to do with Nicholas Latifi when his contract runs out at the end of this year.
The Canadian has been improving of late, and there is no longer the option to get Piastri on loan from Alpine.
Former Formula E champion, Nyck de Vries’ name had been thrown into the mix, as well as Formula 2 driver and Williams junior, Logan Sargeant.
READ: Haas comment on Mick Schumacher’s future amid reports he’ll end Ferrari ties
Glock also feels that there might be an opportunity for Schumacher there.
“My feeling tells me that Mick could go in the direction of Williams, but of course it’s difficult to say,” he added.
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner refused to be drawn into talk that he had contacted Ricciardo about a drive during the summer break at the Belgian Grand Prix.