Ferrari should leave Kimi Raikkonen behind, according to former F1 driver Marc Surer.
However, Surer - now a pundit for German television - believes the Finn is in theory an ideal teammate for Sebastian Vettel.
"Kimi is the ideal number 2," he told Speed Week. "No politics, always fair. But I think this is just no longer the Kimi of old."
According to the rumour mill, the candidates are already lining up at Maranello’s door, and the big favourite is fellow Finn Valtteri Bottas.
But Surer said: "For me, Bottas is slower than (Felipe) Massa — a driver Ferrari got rid of two years ago. If they take Bottas, they’re taking a step back.
"I think the best choice would be Nico Hulkenberg, but I get the impression that Ferrari doesn’t want two Germans," he added.