Sergio Perez's Formula 1 future has taken a fresh twist just days after comments from Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
The 34-year-old has endured a nightmare season at Red Bull and hasn't stood on the podium since the Chinese Grand Prix in April.
His home race in Mexico represented a fresh low, with Perez starting 18th, being penalised for a false start and being involved in a collision with RB's Liam Lawson that gave him significant damage.
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Red Bull pitted Perez late on in an attempt to go for the fastest lap, but the damage to his car meant that was never a realistic possibility. He finished in 17th and last.
After the Grand Prix, Horner refused to confirm whether Perez would even see out the season at Red Bull, even though he is contracted to 2025.
Amid uncertainty over his future, Red Bull have reportedly been assessing the RB pair of Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda over potentially replacing the Mexican next season. Both drivers will test the Red Bull in Abu Dhabi after the season ends.
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Should either driver become Max Verstappen's team-mate, RB would need to find a replacement either from within the Red Bull junior pool or from an outside source.
If the latter occurs, the favourite for that seat would likely be Isack Hadjar, who is impressing in his debut season of F2. Other options include Ayumu Iwasa and Pepe Marti, who are in Super Formula and F2 respectively.
But another alternative has emerged in recent weeks in the form of Williams driver Franco Colapinto.
The 21-year-old, who was also in F2 with MP Motorsport this season, replaced Logan Sargeant earlier this year and has impressed, finishing no lower than 12th in his four races and picking up five points.
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Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko confirmed during the Mexico weekend that the team had approached Colapinto's representatives, though admitted a move would be unlikely as the Argentinian is under contract as a Williams reserve driver next year.
However, a lifeline may have emerged - in the form of one of Perez's main sponsors.
Carlos Slim Domit, the president of the Escuderia Telmex telecommunications firm that has backed Perez throughout his F1 career, has indicated he would be open to linking up with Colapinto next season.
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The bank has linked up with several North and South American drivers in F1, including Bruno Senna and Esteban Gutierrez, and would not be against a partnership with the Argentine.
It is unclear whether Telmex will be involved with Red Bull next season as the team have signed a deal with rival firm AT&T.
"We have been with many drivers previously," Slim Domit told ESPN.
"We were with Bruno Senna, we were with Pietro Fittipaldi and we were with the two Mexican drivers, with Checo and with Esteban."
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However, despite pledging his support, Slim Domit confirmed that any partnership would not affect the company's relationship with Perez and that he is still their number one priority.
"We always seek to support Latin American drivers. Franco is doing very well.
"But without a doubt our most important project has always been to continue building the development of Mexican drivers and Checo, without a doubt, is the one who represents us all."
Topics: Red Bull Racing, Formula 1
Ryan Smart