Aston Martin Formula 1 reserve driver Felipe Drugovich is in the running to replace Nyck de Vries at the Mahindra Formula E team for the World Endurance Championship-clashing Berlin races in July.
Drugovich tested for the British-based, Indian-entered team last month and is being considered for the seat alongside Mahindra's regular reserve drivers Kush Maini and Jordan King.
This time last year Mahindra was forced to plug in King to deputise for the indisposed De Vries who, as per this season, had to prioritise his Toyota commitments, then for the 6 Hours of Spa.
Speaking to The Race in Monaco last weekend, Mahindra team principal Frederic Bertrand said that this time an external driver - Drugovich - has been added to the mix for evaluation to replace Monaco podium finisher De Vries and race alongside Edoardo Mortara in Berlin.
"It's nearly the same discussion as last year, as we had exactly the same because Jordan is doing a very good job in the simulator with helping the team and supporting," said Bertrand.
"We have Jordan in the pool. Kush is definitely in the pool too. But I think a little bit like last year, he wants to concentrate on his F2 season."
"We also wanted to have an option of an external driver," added Bertrand.
"There were different options. And Drugovich looks interesting because he has that experience as he has tested other cars [Maserati MSG], and he has an understanding of Formula E. So, for us that was also part of the plan and that's where we are right now."
Pushed on whether Drugovich was the leading candidate, Bertrand would only say that the 2022 Formula 2 champion was "potentially a good option".
But he added that the team needed to "make sure that one thing which is working super well right now in the team is harmony".
"We managed to create a structure where everybody is going in the same way, pushing in the same way. So, I want to make sure that when we make the call, everybody is fully aware of why we do the call."
Mahindra is currently enjoying its strongest Formula E form since its 2010s heyday, holding third in the teams' championship approaching the season's halfway point.
Next season could also feature a clash as The Race understands that a Formula E race in Europe on the final weekend of March is under consideration. This is believed to possibly clash with a WEC round, probably the season-opening event in Qatar.
Bertrand alluded to the future need for drivers to be agile and said: "Should it be staying with what we did last year? Should it be moving to Kush? Should it be moving to Drugovich? I need everybody behind the project right now.
Mahindra in the Gen3 era
2023: 10th, 41 points
2024: 10th, 47 points
2024-25: 3rd, 91 points*
*season ongoing
"We will have the same problem next year anyway if it's clashing again with WEC. So, there is room for people. The only thing we realised is that what we offer here is a great chance for a driver because it's two races in Berlin in a car which now is competitive.
"So, the way people are looking at the opportunity is very different than the one we had last year."
But Bertrand also said he was aware that several teams are looking at Drugovich for the future, with several senior drivers unlikely to continue into the upcoming Gen4 era.
"Many other teams in the paddock will look at what he's doing in case he would get in our car because he's also potentially good for Formula E.
"If we are putting a young driver or let's say a new driver in the car with that type of potential it's the same with Kush and I think even Jordan could be the same. We like those three options.
"What we wanted to check with Drugovich is if he feels well with us and with the car and then Jeremy [Colancon, Mahindra's technical director] knows him, we know him, we liked him.
"I think right now we have three good options. We will decide shortly."
