The 2025 season was looking good for F2 star Alex Dunne. The Irishman is making his debut in the series and is looking strong. The 19-year-old has two wins to his name and is still in the championship hunt with two rounds remaining.
Dunne also made his F1 debut, making two appearances for McLaren during FP1 sessions in Austria and Monza. However, in a surprising move, McLaren and Dunne came to a mutual agreement to part ways.
Alex Dunne leaves the McLaren programme
Ahead of the Singapore GP, McLaren announced that it had ended their contract with Dunne. The 19-year-old, currently fifth in the F2 driver standings, will leave the Woking-based team and look for new opportunities.
In a statement, McLaren said, “McLaren Racing has ended its contract with McLaren Driver Development Programme member Alex Dunne. It has been a pleasure to work with Alex over the last year and to contribute to his growth as a driver. We wish Alex all the best for his career going forward.”
McLaren Racing has ended its contract with McLaren Driver Development Programme member Alex Dunne.
It has been a pleasure to work with Alex over the last year and to contribute to his growth as a driver.
We wish Alex all the best for his career going forward.#McLaren pic.twitter.com/Ll46rVgF8l
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) October 2, 2025
Dunne added, “From today I’ve mutually decided to part ways with the McLaren Driver Development programme.
I’d like to thank every individual at McLaren that has helped me develop and improve as a driver. 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.”
Dunne will now look forward to his championship battle in F2, where he trails Fornaroli by 58 points with 78 still to play for. The Irishman will hope to turn around a disappointing patch of form in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
What next for Dunne?
The BBC is reporting that Dunne is in talks to join McLaren’s rivals, Red Bull. When approached, the spokesperson for the Milton Keynes-based team declined to comment. The outlet claims that if the 19-year-old can reach an agreement with the Austrian team, then he would compete in F2 for a further year before being assessed if he is ready for F1 in 2027.
Alex Dunne’s F1 Dream Begins With Practice Debut for Title-Winning Team at Austrian GP
The BBC also reports the Irishman had been in talks with Alpine over a race seat. However, insiders now declare that these talks are over. Dunne is still destined for a role in F1, as he wouldn’t have left McLaren without a plan.
It was unlikely that a McLaren race seat was going to open up anytime soon. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are young and have many years ahead of them. To get into the pinnacle of motorsport, the youngster had to seek pastures new to have a shot. Time will tell if it will work out for him.
