Formula 2 driver Alexander Dunne will drive for Alpine’s junior program. The 20-year-old Irishman makes the switch after an eventful end to his partnership with McLaren late last year. His path to Formula 1 seemed to have ended, but now he gets another chance to prove himself.
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Alex Dunne experienced his rookie year in Formula 2 last season. With two wins, two pole positions, and eight podium finishes, he finished fifth in the championship. Despite these results, his partnership with McLaren, where he was part of the driver development program, came to an end. With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri on long-term contracts, a seat in the premier class did not seem possible. Former top advisor Helmut Marko reportedly approached Dunne on his own initiative for Red Bull’s development program. He accepted the offer, but Marko was overruled by Red Bull management. Reportedly, they had little confidence in Dunne.
‘Next step’
Alpine has now signed Dunne, giving him new opportunities towards Formula 1. He will compete in Formula 2 for Rodin Motorsport, in Alpine’s livery. Additionally, he is also part of the French team’s development program. “I am very happy to join the Alpine Academy and take this next step in my racing career. I am incredibly grateful to the team for the trust to represent their brand in Formula 2,” the Irishman told the official Formula 2 website.
The announcement did not come completely out of the blue. During a test in the Formula 2 car, Dunne had already been spotted in a car with the colors of team sponsor BWT. At the moment, the driver does not yet have the required forty super license points to be active as a reserve driver in Formula 1. An extra season in Formula 2 offers him the chance to still collect those points. “Last year was a great experience in many ways. Learned and won a lot, also the necessary challenges along the way, but everything has made me a better driver and person,” Dunne says.
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‘Doing my utmost’
He is clear about his ambitions this season, as after a competitive season last year, he now hopes to be able to compete even better for the win in the drivers’ championship. “It would be great to repay the team’s trust with wins and podiums. I want to give everything for Alpine and do my utmost as an Alpine Academy driver.”
Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore is enthusiastic about the latest addition. “We are delighted to welcome Alex to our Academy. His performances in Formula 2 and also his free practice sessions in Formula 1 last year were impressive. He is a very talented driver with pure speed,” Briatore indicates. Dunne is not the only Formula 2 driver within Alpine’s development program. Kush Maini and Gabriele Minì are also part of the Academy. “We look forward to seeing how the three of them compete against each other in 2026, where the goal is crystal clear: winning the drivers’ championship,” says Briatore.
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