Alexander Dunne is the story of an unexpected driver who suddenly started to make more noise than some of the favorites. 14th in Formula 3 In 2024, the Irish driver surprised, quickly placing himself among the references of the grid Formula 2 at the start of the season. Capable of winning races, like a first emotional success acquired in Bahrain, and of reaching several podiums, the protégé of McLaren even led the championship in the spring.
Notable for his pace, but also for his recurring setbacks on the track, Alexander Dunne remained a great hope for the Woking academy. Held in high esteem by the team of F1, the Irishman had notably managed to finish fourth in the first test session of his career at the wheel of the MCL39 on the Red Bull Ring, in Austria. However, and to everyone’s surprise, the Papayes announced at the beginning of autumn that the two parties had failed to reach an agreement regarding the renewal of his contract with the academy. Now a free agent, the player was quick to react to Helmut Marko, who was naturally interested in such an opportunity.
Dunne is of interest to Red Bull but will not have a role at Racing Bulls
Quickly questioned about the possibility of seeing Alexander Dunne join the already well-stocked Red Bull academy in the near future, Helmut Marko made no attempt to feign Milton Keynes’ interest in him. “He’s an aggressive driver, he has fantastic car control and he’s fast. That’s what Red Bull likes (…) we will have discussions with him.” the Austrian then asserted.
Once considered for Racing Bulls, as a regular driver, or even a reserve driver, Alex Dunne will ultimately be neither in the car, nor even in the garage of the team. FaenzaAlthough the Irishman could become an option in the future – this was not specified by Helmut Marko, while the driver is only 19 years old – no role will be given to him from the 2026 season.
At Racing Bulls, a sort of final is now organized between Liam Lawson and Yuki tsunoda, while the other promising Formula 2 driver, Arvid Lindblad, would have already seen his place secured for the coming year. Alongside the Briton, the Red Bull driver will be retained, while Alex Dunne’s near future, given his current ranking in the Formula 1 antechamber, could above all be heading towards a second consecutive season in F2. Enough to accumulate saving experience for the best? The irregularity of the Rodin Motorsport driver indeed demonstrates some flaws that he will still have to fill.