The trio of contenders vying for Williams' second seat alongside George Russell next year has perhaps just become a quartet with the addition of a fourth familiar F1 name.
Former Sauber and Haas driver Esteban Gutierrez revealed in Mexico that he reckons he has a chance of securing an F1 drive for 2019.
With Williams the only available opportunity remaining on the grid - we'll discard Toro Rosso which has set it sights on Alexander Albon - it's safe to assume that the Mexican is targeting a return to Grand Prix racing with the Grove-based outfit.
Gutierrez has been conducting simulator work for Mercedes this season, but could he beat Sergey Sirokin, Robert Kubica and Esteban Ocon to a Williams drive?
"I am working very hard, I've been preparing a lot this year, I am very motivated," insisted Gutierrez, who left F1 at the end of the 2016 season with scoring a single point with Haas during the US team's debut season.
"I've been working with Mercedes, a very professional team, actively on the simulator, doing different things, and I am really positive about the future."
The 27-year-old, who has apparently retained some lavish financial support in his home country, wouldn't address the Williams speculation directly, but he did offer who two cents on the outfit's state of affairs.
"It is a great team. It is one of the most respected teams in Formula 1," said Gutierrez.
"I think they've had difficult years, but the people they have and the team they are I am pretty sure they can recover pretty well.
"I think I feel like I have a lot to give in Formula 1, and I am very motivated for it," he added.
"I have chances, I am here. At the beginning of the year I was not involved with a Formula 1 team and now I am with Mercedes, which is at the moment one of the most important teams in Formula 1.
"I've been working very hard, it hasn't been easy, but I am really positive about the future. I think there is a lot to come in my career, and there is a lot I can give as well."
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