Stoffel Vandoorne is in the frame to replace Rio Haryanto at Manor for the second half of the season.
His management is still seeking further funding from Indonesia and elsewhere in Asia, and team boss Dave Ryan has always confirmed that the priority remains finding a way for Haryanto to continue to the end of the year.
However, if that doesn’t happen, an attractive seat will be available in a car that has proved capable of challenging for points. Alex Rossi is the team’s reserve driver, and is free once the IndyCar season ends, while Will Stevens has also been hoping to return to the team.
Vandoorne could trump them both as a McLaren source indicate sees Manor as a perfect opportunity to give the Belgian some extra mileage and a further chance to stake a claim for a race seat in 2017.
It’s likely that, given time constraints, Haryanto will remain in the car for the next race at Hockenheim, which would give Manor the summer break to find a solution. If the team agrees a deal with McLaren to go with Vandoorne, that could even open up the tantalizing possibility of the Belgian making his first appearance in his home race at Spa.
Meanwhile for Manor, having Vandoorne and Mercedes protégé Wehrlein going head to head would have obvious appeal.
Vandoorne is currently racing in Japanese Super Formula and, while his only clash is the Mexican GP, logic suggests that F1 would have priority.
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