McLaren announces termination of Alexander Dunne's contract

Fifth in the championship Formula 2, Alexander Dunne has had a very solid season in the category so far. 14th in Formula 3 last year, but still supported by McLaren, the Irishman was not one of those for whom expectations were particularly high. However, with two victories counted – the person concerned suffered a penalty costing him a success at Spa, and a disqualification depriving him of another in Austria – he quickly placed himself among the big surprises of this season.

Often in the foreground, climbing onto seven podiums so far, the man who notably acquired a fourth position in EL1 at the wheel of a Formula 1 in Austria was very supported by his team. "Alex is already an integral part of our Formula 1 team. He works with us and we trust him," said Alessandro Alunni Bravi, the team's director of commercial affairs, at The Race in JulyThe goal is for him to be successful in F2, to continue his development and in the future there will be opportunities for drivers like Alex who show talent, consistency and also a very mature, professional kind of approach, which is what Formula 1 teams are looking for." 

McLaren announces its departure with immediate effect

Given these observations, McLaren's announcement this Thursday comes as something of a surprise. The Woking team has decided to terminate Alexander Dunne's contract, thanking him for his involvement in the program. While he is being encouraged for the rest of his career, it appears that such a decision is linked to something other than a simple strategic reorganization. Although the driver in question has not been the most consistent—accustomed to making costly mistakes, as was the case in Monaco, for example—his performances appeared sufficient for McLaren to retain the driver, who is just 19 years old.

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At this stage, no explanation was provided by McLaren, while the young Irishman was beginning to enjoy a status close to that of Arvid Lindblad in Formula 2. Lando Norris et Oscar piastri With both teams assured of a place within the parent team, and McLaren having little room to place its young driver in Formula 1, is a change of academy to be anticipated for Alex Dunne? Given the driver's profile, it is not unrealistic to imagine another academy seizing the opportunity presented on the market.