Nico Rosberg still believes fellow German Nico Hulkenberg has a chance of joining Red Bull for 2020.
The Renault driver will be replaced by Esteban Ocon next season and his options elsewhere are limited, realistically, to Alfa Romeo, while the two Red Bull teams and Williams also have an empty seat.
Team boss Christian Horner has previously stated, however, that their four current drivers will be staying for 2020 but the former Mercedes driver has called on them to reconsider.
“[Alex] Albon is fighting for his seat at Red Bull, which is not easy,” Rosberg told his YouTube channel after the Russian GP. “I think Red Bull is a bit stuck there as to which driver they are going to take.
“Gasly probably has the lead at the moment because he is driving so well with the Toro Rosso, he is doing a good job there, so probably at the moment at the forefront.
“Who else do they take? Hulkenberg wouldn’t be a bad choice, to be honest.
“He still has the opportunity for Red Bull even though they said no. He fits very well with the mentality and is a good driver so why not?
“At the moment he is the best choice.”
Since his departure was confirmed, Hulkenberg has outpaced teammate Daniel Ricciardo at three of the four races and his demeanour, despite his apparent peril, has struck the 2016 F1 champion.
“His chances are disappearing for staying in F1 but he still seems very confident,” Rosberg added.
“I don’t know how he can be so confident because it is just Williams and Alfa Romeo left, and at Alfa, it is just [Antonio] Giovinazzi because Kimi is fixed.
“Giovinazzi is an Italian at an Italian team and has done a good season so I wonder if he really has a chance to go to Alfa Romeo.
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“And then there is Williams, who certainly would take him if they could afford him to take him because they need a driver with money given they already have a great driver in George Russell.
“They would probably look for the other driver to bring money and Hulkenberg is not going to bring money so not an easy one.”
Rosberg does have one wish hope though…
“I hope he stays in F1 because he deserves it, a big talent,” he concluded.