However, Red Bull\u2019s<\/a> new team principal and CEO, Laurent Mekies<\/a> seemingly steadied the ship at the Austrian constructor following the months-long ordeal, and Verstappen<\/a> has since backed down from his desire to leave the team. <\/p>\n READ MORE: Max Verstappen forced to consider u-turn at Red Bull after what he\u2019s seen in 2026 testing sessions<\/a><\/p>\n Kimi Antonelli was \u2018set\u2019 for a move to Alpine if Mercedes were successful in their pursuit of Max Verstappen<\/p>\n The links between Mercedes<\/a> and Verstappen raised the question of where Antonelli<\/a>, or Russell<\/a>, would find themselves racing if they were forced to make way for the four-time world champion.<\/p>\n Given Russell\u2019s status as the number one driver in the German team, it would have been unlikely for him to be the biggest loser out of the deal. Antonelli, on the other hand, was close to the chopping block.<\/p>\n In a recent report by Autosport<\/a>, \u2018paddock whispers\u2019 stated that Antonelli was \u2018set\u2019 for a loan deal involving Mercedes\u2019 newest engine customer, Alpine<\/a>. <\/p>\n The French constructor has had a season-long headache over who would be the best driver to partner Pierre Gasly at the team next year. <\/p>\n The deal may have included a potential discount on the 2026 power units, considering that the team would be sacrificing the development of one of their own drivers in favour of the Silver Arrows. <\/p>\n However, the report goes on to state that the deal is now off the table, due to the Red Bull driver\u2019s desire to remain at the team.<\/p>\n Mercedes have also seemingly backed down from sending the young Italian to another team for 2026.<\/p>\n Toto Wolff now has no interest in parting with Antonelli<\/a> and is currently in the midst of penning a contract extension for Russell as well as the 19-year-old.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Mercedes think dropping Kimi Antonelli for Max Verstappen now comes with one unique \u2018advantage\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Who are Alpine looking at for their second seat in the 2026 F1 season?<\/p>\n Franco Colapinto is under increasing pressure to deliver results for the Enstone-based constructor following his move to replace Jack Doohan at Alpine six rounds into the current campaign. <\/p>\n Alpine boss Flavio Briatore believes he overestimated Colapinto\u2019s ability<\/a>, in a frank admission that wouldn\u2019t have helped the Argentine\u2019s confidence at all. <\/p>\n TEAMDRIVER 1DRIVER 2AlpinePierre GaslyN\/AAston MartinFernando AlonsoLance StrollAudiGabriel BortoletoNico HulkenbergCadillacValtteri BottasSergio PerezFerrariCharles LeclercLewis HamiltonHaasEsteban OconOliver BearmanMcLarenLando NorrisOscar PiastriMercedesN\/AN\/ARacing BullsN\/AN\/ARed Bull RacingMax VerstappenN\/AWilliamsAlex AlbonCarlos Sainz2026 confirmed F1 drivers<\/p>\n Gasly has made his feelings clear on who he wants Alpine to sign<\/a>, with Yuki Tsunoda potentially being free in the F1 driver market<\/a> if Red Bull opts to discontinue his current drive as Verstappen\u2019s teammate at the racing outfit. <\/p>\n![\"Mercedes](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2233443449-1-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Andrea Diodato\/NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n