Berlin - Rising Formula One team Racing Point has started talks with four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, Germany's Bild paper reported on Tuesday.
Bild said that Vettel could replace Mexico's Sergio Perez at the team, which will become an Aston Martin works team from 2021 onwards, saying Perez' contract includes a release clause which must be triggered by July 31.
The other driver is Lance Stroll, the son of Canadian billionaire and majority stake owner Lawrance Stroll.
Vettel, 33, is without a team at the end of this season because Ferrari has not renewed his contract beyond 2020.
Racing Point appears to be the last option for Vettel if he wants to continue driving for a competitive team in the sport, as neither world champion Mercedes nor his former outfit Red Bull, McLaren or Renault have a place for him.
Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger told Austrian Servus TV late Monday he wouldn't be surprised if a deal was all but done and said Racing Point "could be the only option for him with which he could win races."
Bild said that "The talks are taking place. But it won't be easy," as it remains to be seen if Lawrance Stroll is really willing to compensate Perez, and team principal Otmar Szafnauer previously referred to long-term contracts for Stroll and Perez.
But Szefnauer also named it "flattering" that they have been linked with the four-time champion.
Racing Point has an engine partnership with Mercedes and is currently fourth in the constructors' standings after the first two races.
But the team is also the target of an investigation by the ruling body FIA over an alleged breach of design rules because their car is very similar to last year's Mercedes.