McLaren has announced that Formula 2 talent Alex Dunne has left its Driver Development programme, bringing to an end a short but eventful partnership with the Irish teenager.
The 19-year-old joined McLaren’s junior ranks at the start of 2024 and wasted little time making an impression. His official Formula 1 debut came in Austria in June, where he stunned onlookers by finishing fourth in a rookie FP1 session.
A second outing followed at Monza, where his maturity and technical feedback again drew praise from McLaren team boss Andrea Stella.
Alongside his F1 appearances, Dunne also gained mileage with McLaren’s now-defunct Formula E outfit, participating in rookie testing duties.
Yet, just as Dunne appeared primed for bigger things, the partnership has dissolved by mutual consent.
McLaren Thanks Dunne for His Contribution
McLaren’s official statement captured the bittersweet tone.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Alex over the last year and to have been able to contribute to his success and growth as a driver through the McLaren Driver Development programme.
“We wish Alex all the best for his career going forward.”
Dunne shared his own reflections on the move on Instagram, his words laced with gratitude rather than regret.
“I’d like to thank every individual at McLaren that has helped me develop and improve as a driver,” he wrote.
“To have my first opportunity to drive an F1 car, followed by two FP1 sessions, is something I’ll always hold very close to my heart. I wish them all the best for the future. Thank you, Papaya family.”
Second High-Profile McLaren Junior Departure
Dunne’s exit isn’t an isolated heartbreak for McLaren’s junior ranks – it’s the second departure in as many years. At the close of 2024, highly-rated Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto bid farewell to the programme after clinching the Formula 2 title.
Like Dunne, Bortoleto had dazzled in testing and earned plaudits for his precision, but with Norris and Piastri locked in for the foreseeable future, McLaren couldn’t offer a clear path to the grid.
He swiftly landed a full-time F1 seat with Sauber for 2025, partnering Nico Hülkenberg in a deal that extends into the Audi era—a move that underscored how external opportunities can eclipse loyalty.
Whispers in the paddock suggest history might rhyme for Dunne. Fresh off his McLaren release, rumors are swirling that the Irish charger has caught the eye of Red Bull, whose advisor Helmut Marko is no stranger to poaching talent.
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Marko himself has nodded to Dunne’s potential, reportedly calling him a “fast and confident driver” worth watching.
With Red Bull’s junior squad, Racing Bulls, potentially reshuffling for 2026 amid Yuki Tsunoda’s uncertain future, could Dunne be next in line for a Bulls ride?
The speculation adds intrigue to his ongoing F2 campaign, where he holds fifth in the standings with 130 points and eyes a podium finish in the remaining rounds.
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