Adrian Sutil is reportedly first in line to replace Michael Schumacher should the German opt to leave F1 at the end of this season.
Schumacher returned to F1 at the start of this season, signing a three-year deal with Mercedes GP.
However, his comeback has failed to reap the rewards many expected from the seven-time World Champ, prompting rumours that he could retire again at the end of the year.
"I've a hunch something fundamental has changed. I believe he is disillusioned and thinking of quitting," BBC pundit Eddie Jordan said of Schumacher in the wake of the Italian GP.
"There are too many indications that now give me the feeling he is reconsidering his commitment to his three-year contract."
And should he opt to leave, another of the BBC's team, Jonathan Legard, says it will pave the way for Force India's Sutil to make the move up the grid.
"Hearing that Sutil is leading contender to replace Schumacher at season's end IF he leaves Mercedes. Sutil out of contract at Force India," Legard wrote on Twitter.
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