Alfa likely to confirm 2022 line-up 'in a couple of days'

Alfa Romeo says it will likely confirm its full 2022 driver line-up "in a couple of days" now that the whirlwind of speculation surrounding a takeover of the Swiss outfit by Andretti has subsided.

Alfa Romeo has recruited Valtteri Bottas as its number one driver for next season, but several candidates remain in the race to fill the team's second seat.

It was anticipated that IndyCar charger Colton Herta would switch to F1 in the wake of a buyout of Sauber by Andretti Autosport, but that eventuality died away after takeover talks collapsed between the two parties.

While Alfa incumbent Antonio Giovinazzi remains a potential albeit seemingly unlikely prospect, F2 racers and Alpine juniors Guanyu Zhou and Oscar Piastri are both seen as the favourites to get the call from Alfa.

The Chinese driver is reportedly supported by a generous sponsorship package, but Piastri is currently leading the FIA Formula 2 Championship with two rounds, or six races, to go.

Regardless of who will get the good news, Alfa's decision is likely days away insists team boss Frédéric Vasseur.

"We will take a decision now that we are a little bit less in the spotlight for different reasons," Vasseur said in Mexico.

"We'll take a decision in the next couple of days, probably after Brazil.

"We have to stay calm with this," added the Frenchman. "It's an important choice. It's not an easy one. We'll take a decision soon and you will be informed as soon as the decision will be made."

• Read also: Andretti says 'control issues' blew up Alfa Romeo F1 deal

Vasseur admitted that next year's regulations change in F1 implies that stability will be "a factor", which could plead in favour of Giovinazzi.

"It's already a question to know if there is interest to change [both drivers] with the new regulation or if, with the new regulations, stability is important," he said.

"We know that the preparations will be very short with the two times three days [of testing] and could eventually be less with a reliability or weather issue.

"It means that we have to be ready from the first day because we know perfectly that, in this kind of championship, it's very often on the first event that you can score the big points for a midfield team.

"It's true that it's [driver stability] a factor into the decision, but it's not the only one."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter