Haas F1 Team owner and founder Gene Haas revealed that Kevin Magnussen would have been offered a race seat with his team had Romain Grosjean declined to sign for the US outfit.
Haas viewed the former McLaren driver as likely and capable candidate, and a second choice had talks with Grosjean not come to fruition.
"We talked to Magnussen, who was a very good candidate," Haas told Formula1.com. "He was very well respected by the McLaren team."
The 23-year-old Danish driver's career in F1 has grinned to a halt lately. Following a full season with McLaren in 2014, Magnussen was demoted to reserve driver this year to make way for Fernando Alonso.
With both the Spaniard and Jenson Button contracted for 2016, McLaren had no choice but to free Magnussen from his obligations, a decision he had the unfortunate displeasure to receive last October, on the day of his 23rd birthday.
With all of F1's seats now taken, with the exception a remaining spot at Manor, It's unclear which greener pastures the Dane will hopefully head to next.
Mexican Grand Prix - Driver ratings
Use the red tabs on either side of the screen to scroll through more Formula One news and features
Click here for the F1 drivers' girlfriends gallery
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
