Kimi Antonelli could be loaned to Alpine for the F1 2026 season if Mercedes opt to pair Max Verstappen with George Russell:
https://www.planetf1.com/news/george-russell-max-verstappen-mercedes-antonelli-alpine
"...A report by Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport has claimed that Antonelli could find a ‘temporary home’ at the Alpine team if Mercedes opt to pair Verstappen and Russell.
Alpine will replace Aston Martin as Mercedes’ third customer team for F1 2026, joining reigning constructors’ champions McLaren and Williams, after parent company Renault opted to repurpose its historic engine facility.
It is said that Russell will not accept a one-year contract extension with Mercedes for F1 2026 with the four-time race winner insistent on a multi-year deal, raising the possibility of an exciting partnership with Verstappen.
The report adds that Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and Flavio Briatore, the Alpine executive adviser, were spotted in a meeting at the end of the race in Austria last month.
However, it is thought that any discussions about drivers were related to Valtteri Bottas, the Mercedes reserve driver who has been linked with a mid-season switch to Alpine as a potential replacement for Franco Colapinto. ..."