Jerome d’Ambrosio is the latest name linked with struggling Felipe Massa’s Ferrari race seat.
While Mark Webber or Sergio Perez are the Maranello team’s more likely longer term solutions, Ferrari may be looking simply for a stop-gap solution, having reportedly run out of patience for Brazilian Massa’s lack of pace and results.
The French sports daily L’Equipe named d’Ambrosio, the Belgian driver who lost his Virgin/Marussia seat at the end of last season.
He is managed by Eric Boullier, and now Lotus’ reserve driver.
Also named as potential substitutes for Massa in recent days were Nico Hulkenberg, Paul di Resta and Kamui Kobayashi.
But, according to L’Equipe, d’Ambrosio "has the advantage of being immediately available, giving Ferrari time to find a more permanent solution" for 2013.
Also ready to step in now is Adrian Sutil, the former Force India driver who is putting his career back together after the Eric Lux assault affair.
"I have no money to offer," the German is quoted as saying. "After five seasons, people know what is my level. I want a normal salary, that’s all."