Robert Shwartzman is unsure if he stands a realistic chance of filling the final spot on the 2025 Formula 1 race grid.
Although Valtteri Bottas is thought to be the favourite to retain his seat with the Audi-owned Sauber team, he is reportedly seeking a '1-plus-1' contract instead of just a single-year deal.
Gabriel Bortoletto, a 19-year-old rookie and the current Formula 3 champion, is also believed to be in the mix, as is Ferrari test driver Shwartzman, who drove the 2024 Sauber during Friday practice at Zandvoort last week.
Shwartzman's prospects might have been boosted when his former Ferrari boss, Mattia Binotto, was recently appointed as the new head of Sauber.
"I have a lot of respect for Mattia," Shwartzman, 24, told France's Auto Hebdo at the world endurance championship race in Austin this weekend.
"I worked with him for four or five years. He and Laurent (Mekies) supported me, pushed me and they really took care of me."
Until recently, Shwartzman hasn't been a serious contender for a Formula 1 race seat for 2025, but Sauber's owner Audi has struggled to secure a top-tier driver to partner Nico Hulkenberg next season.
Consequently, rumours suggest the German manufacturer might only be offering a one-year contract with a modest salary to whoever ends up in the short-term seat.
When asked if more Friday sessions or a greater involvement with Audi-owned Sauber could be on the cards, Shwartzman replied: "I have no idea. We haven't even discussed it."
"Mattia has only just started his job. I don't know how it works there either - who is in charge of what. I just got an invitation from them, which I really appreciate, to do free practice (at Zandvoort). I met a lot of new people, very nice people, I really enjoyed working, driving and being there. So from my side, if in the future Mattia or whoever is in charge wants to do something with me, I will be very happy."
