Nyck de Vries and Jack Doohan in tests with Alpine at the Hungaroring

Clearly, he is the man of the moment. After making the debut F1 sparkling during the last Italian Grand Prix (9th) replacingAlexander albon in Williams, Nyck de Vries now finds himself being courted by several teams with a view to a full-time promotion in 2023.

After the revelations of our colleagues from The Race, AUTOhebdo learned that the Dutchman, champion F2 2019 and world champion of Formula E 2020/21 with Mercedes, was going to take part in a private test with Alpine.

The session will take place before the Singapore GP (September 30 – October 2) at the Hungagoring in Budapest at the wheel of theAlpine A521 aligned last year by the Blues. De Vries will not be the only one in action on the banks of the Danube.

Member of theAlpine Academy, like his compatriot once Oscar piastri, Jack Doohan shines in F2 this season / © DPPI

He will in fact be accompanied by the Australian Jack Doohan, member of theAlpine Academy and multiple winner in Formula 2 this season with Virtuosi. The 19-year-old Australian is part of the list of candidates for the second seat ofAlpine in 2023, even if it still seems a little soft for F1.

Present in Monza, Laurent Rossi, boss ofAlpine, was very clear about the profile sought : a driver still young enough but with plenty of experience to score points straight away and regularly. A robot portrait that corresponds well to a certain Pierre Gasly (26 years old)… but also to De Vries (27 years old), even if the Dutchman only has one Grand Prix in his legs.

CARhebdo learned that discussions were taking place between Alpine and the feeling of the last Italian GP. De Vries is also being courted by Williams, who is undoubtedly eager to turn the page Nicholas latifi.

Jost Capito, boss of Grove (UK), however, kept repeating at Monza that De Vries had commitments elsewhere for next year. Allusion to a Formula E double program/WEC with Maserati and Toyota ? The irresistible attraction of F1 is enough to confuse the issue!

Nico Hulkenberg could he use temporary solutions while waiting for the recruitment of Pierre Gasly by Alpine ? / © DPPI

Hülkenberg while waiting for Gasly?

As for Pierre Gasly, remember that the Frenchman is under contract with Red Bull until 2023. The Austrian giant will only let go when it has found its successor at Alpha Tauri, and again for a fee.

For several weeks, the Red Bull has no longer hidden his interest in the pilot IndyCar Colton Herta. Problem, the 22-year-old Californian does not have a SuperLicense and neither the FIA ​​nor its entourage seems inclined to seek privileget to obtain the 40 points necessary to obtain the precious sesame.

Colton Herta, here at the Miami GP, has been at the heart of the F1 transfer window for several weeks / © DPPI

Without an alternative, AlphaTauri will keep Gasly. If this were to be the case, Alpine could also turn to an old acquaintance ofenstone (UK) and Otmar Szafnauer: Nico Hülkenberg! The German (35 years old), current reservist Aston Martin, would be recruited for one year, pending the end of Pierre Gasly's contract. The winner of Monza 2020 could thus be hired at a lower cost by the Blues.

CARhebdo has finally learned that in addition to Nyck de Vries and Jack Doohan, two other drivers will be taking part in the private test in Budapest. Is it precisely Colton Herta and Nico Hülkenberg? Victor Martins, recently crowned champion F3 ? Or Olli Caldwell, member of theAlpine Academy too, and who had already driven at Silverstone?

Red confided at Monza that the identity of the future teammate ofEsteban Ocon would be announced by the end of September and the Singapore Grand Prix. Alpine therefore gave itself three weeks to make its decision from a list of candidates that continues to grow.

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