'Chances for De Vries at Alpine increase after Herta test called off'

No test for Herta

Alpine is looking for a new driver for 2023 and ended up with Pierre Gasly. However, the Frenchman has a contract with Red Bull for 2023 and so Red Bull wanted to be able to get a replacement. Herta was seen as the ultimate candidate, but now that the FIA does not want to make any changes to the super licence system, Red Bull seems to have given up hope.

Indeed, according to Motorsport-magazin.com, Herta's planned test at Alpine will not go ahead. Alpine offered Herta this test to collect more licence points to ensure that Gasly might be released. However, Red Bull has lost patience and would no longer want to put so much effort into the IndyCar driver. This would also hold Gasly to his 2023 contract.

Alpine also needs to look further afield and perhaps given Gasly's relationship with Esteban Ocon, that is not such a bad thing. Also driving during Alpine's test at the Hungaroring are Nyck de Vries, Jack Doohan and Antonio Giovinazzi. Doohan is an Alpine junior, but given Alpine's desire to put an experienced driver in the seat, not a top favourite for the seat.

Contenders at Alpine

De Vries is a strong candidate for the seat though after his strong performance for Williams at the Italian Grand Prix. There, he showed he could score points and with 27 years and a Formula E and 2 title, the Dutchman has plenty of experience. Giovinazzi, however, has the advantage of three years of F1 experience and may have an edge in that respect.

An outsider for the seat is also Nico Hulkenberg. The German is also mentioned at Haas, but is also no stranger within the Alpine team. There he drove his last regular season in F1 in 2019, before impressing in three years without a permanent seat mainly as a fill-in at Racing Point/Aston Martin.