Lotus deputy team boss Federico Gastaldi has suggested that there are "quite a few tasty drivers" available to take their second seat.

The Enstone-based outfit will be without Romain Grosjean, who is joining the newly-formed Haas team for next season, in the hope of eventually earning a seat at Ferrari.

Pastor Maldonado will remain at Lotus in 2016, but Gastaldi has confirmed that the constructor is working on a few options.

He is quoted by Eurosport as saying: "We're doing everything to ensure that we've got a desirable race seat. We know we have Pastor confirmed for one seat and we know that there are quite a few tasty drivers available out there.

"I can at this stage publicly confirm that it won't be me driving.

"What happens next is that there'll be a number of discussions in a number of places then at some point we'll have an announcement to make."

Among those in contention to earn a drive with Lotus is McLaren reserve driver and Stoffel Vandoorne, who is currently leading the GP2 standings.