As well as still being wickedly fast, a canny operator on and off track and still fiercely competitive, Alonso has vast knowledge of this current generation of cars compared to most of the alternative suitors.
If Aston wants to move up the grid as per its ambitions, Alonso might be the best option.
The Enstone team is also keen to get its young charge, 2021 F2 champion Oscar Piastri, into a seat which could encourage Alonso to seek pastures new.
On the downside, the Spaniard is known to be a disruptive element who can become unhappy relatively quickly, at times not exactly endearing himself as a team player.
Daniel Ricciardo
Might Ricciardo bid farewell to McLaren?
Eric Alonso/Getty Images
Part of Lawrence Stroll’s reasoning behind signing Vettel was the PR boost a four-time champion would bring, and Daniel Ricciardo could represent a similar move were he to leave McLaren.
The Australian has suffered a difficult tenure at Woking, and might want to start afresh with a new project – again – after leaving Red Bull in 2018 and Renault at the end of 2020.
Vettel was also brought in as an experienced man who could have a positive influence on Lance, and Lawrence might view Ricciardo in the same way.
When he’s on song, the Perth-native has a Mansell-esque fighting spirit which sees him to do battle with the best of them in F1. Unfortunately, that swashbuckling approach seems to have been in short supply in recent years. Would Aston bet on him him rediscovering that form?
Mick Schumacher
Schumacher appears to be on an upward curve in F1
Haas
The son of F1 legend Michael has had a tough time of it since he entered F1 but, as in other series, the German appears to be coming good in his sophomore season.
Year 1 saw the young German left in a no-hoper Haas car which had no development and remain unchallenged as a team-mate by the erratic Nikita Mazepin, but he initially struggled when teamed with the experienced Kevin Magnussen in 2022.
Midway through season though and Schumacher has hit form, scoring back to back points in Silverstone and Austria, and setting a top-10 time in France Q1 until having it deleted for track limits.
Schumacher is clearly hungry for big success in grand prix racing, and could be just what the inconsistent Lance Stroll needs to push him to the next level.
The German would likely have to cut his Ferrari ties if he were to make the move, but Mercedes could be all too happy to bring him under its wing.
Nico Hülkenberg
Hülkenberg represents a solid, reliable replacement for Aston
Grand Prix Photo
F1’s most experienced driver never to have scored a podium – and Aston’s reserve driver – would be a straightforward option.
The German’s pace has never been in doubt, and the veteran of 181 starts has proven himself as a stand-in several times for the Silverstone team.
However, Hülkenberg’s running in 2022 cars is limited compared to some alternatives, and at 35 might not represent a long term option for the team.
Nyck De Vries
Nyck de Vries F1 chance might finally have come
DPPI
Mercedes reserve driver Nyck de Vries is in the form of his life, but at 27 still hasn’t yet raced in F1. The 2020/2021 Formula E champion is one of the heavyweights of the electric series, winning it at his first attempt.
He is also affiliated with Toyota in WEC, serving as its reserve driver and standing in for TDS Racing in the LMP2 category at Le Mans this year, managing to finish fourth in class.
De Vries has participated in two Free Practice sessions this year as part of F1’s new ‘run a rookie’ rules, at Spain and France for Williams and Mercedes respectively, so does have precious experience of 2022 machinery.
The man from Sneek in the Netherlands could also be of benefit to the Silverstone squad through his Mercedes association, by virtue of his knowledge of the power unit – Aston uses the same – and perhaps financially too, if the car manufacturer was inclined to give the green team an incentive to go Dutch.
Just two days ago Toto Wolff was quoted as saying he may have to let de Vries go due to lack of F1 opportunities, but the door might just have opened at Aston.
Alex Albon
Albon might soon be heading away from Williams
Williams
Thai-British driver Albon has impressed in his comeback year with Williams, scoring points and comprehensively outpacing Nicholas Latifi, who has been installed at the team for three season already.
Still affiliated with Red Bull, Milton Keynes might want to shift Albon up the grid as it looks to gain him further experience.
Albon might also represent the team-player Aston wants in replacing Vettel.
Oscar Piastri
Could Piastri be tempted to Aston?
DPPI
Might Alpine’s prodigy take the leap and leave his Enstone home?
2021 F2 champion Oscar Piastri by rights should already be on the F1 grid, such is his talent.
Alpine has been grooming the Australian to join it GP racing for some time, but currently has an Alonso-shaped wall in the way, with Esteban Ocon tied up.
The French team might not want to let its prodigy go on loan, but will frustration at being on the sidelines force his hand? If Aston’s owner decides the money is worth it, Piastri could be bought out of his contract with the promise of a race seat at a solid midfield F1 team.
Felipe Drugovich
Drugovich could represent a surprise alternative
Grand Prix Photo
Might Aston throw a curveball and go for a driver with no F1 experience at all? Felipe Drugovich is in his third year in F2 and leads the standings by over 40 points.
The Brazilian shook things up in F2 in 2020 by winning three races as a rookie for the unfancied MP Motorsport, and now, back with that same team, is dominating the championship.
Drugovich is sponsored by his family’s ‘Drugovich Auto Parts’ business, which supplies components to trucks and buses in Brazil. This obvious boost in sponsorship might prove attractive for Lawrence Stroll, who has already provided massive investment for the team.