Why did McLaren release Alex Dunne from his contract?

The announcement was unexpected, to say the least. McLaren announced the departure with immediate effect of its driver Alex Dunne this Thursday, putting an end to a fruitful collaboration between the two camps. The Irishman, who joined the Papaya team in 2024, has climbed the ranks at high speed. Second in the British Championship Formula 3 In 2023, he joined the FIA ​​F3 the following season, but his first season was not brilliant (14th).

It was therefore a surprise to see him appear on the grid of Formula 2 from 2025 with Rodin Motorsport, without really knowing what to expect from the 2022 British F4 champion. His year has been made up of brilliant highlights (2 wins, 2 pole positions) and also of more confused moments (10 penalty points out of 12 already), but overall remains positive with a fifth place in the championship with two rounds to go.

Furthermore, Dunne had the opportunity to discover the Formula 1 by driving twice in Free Practice 1, first in Austria, where he was dazzling in place of Lando Norris (4th), then in Italy (16th). A promising start that raises the question: why did McLaren part ways with a young man on a roll, who is heading straight for Formula 1?

The answer is that the Woking team isn't the only one deciding the future of the Clonbullogue native. Alex Dunne is also considering his options and must ensure he makes the best decision for his career. However, if his performances point him towards Formula 1, he still needs to have a team behind him, ready to help him take the next step. McLaren didn't seem like the ideal team: Lando Norris and Oscar piastri have long-term contracts and both men are now unshakeable. Neither of them would have any interest in leaving Woking, which has the best car of the board.

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Dunne from Woking to Milton Keynes?

So Alex Dunne finds himself forced to leave McLaren to strike out on his own, just as Gabriel Bortoleto did a year earlier to take the vacant position at Sauber. The Irishman will have to emulate the 2024 Formula 2 champion by placing his trust in a team more capable of guiding him towards his F1 dream. The team in question could be Red Bull, with whom Dunne has already been in contact.

Joining the Austrians' Junior Team would be a gateway to Formula 1, especially since the Red Bull academy no longer has any top-flight talent, with the exception of Arvid Linblad. The Briton, who turned 18 this summer, will be at Racing Bulls next season, but behind him, there are few top talents with a shot at Formula 1.

For Alex Dunne, having a place in 2026 seems compromised because the Red Bull quartet is already settled or almost: Isack Hadjar will join Max Verstappen at Red Bull, while Liam Lawson and Yuki tsunoda are in the balance to occupy the second seat at Faenza alongside Linblad, whose promotion is almost a done deal.

The "survivor" of the Lawson-Tsunoda tandem, however, should only have a year of respite before putting his future at risk again at the end of 2026. It is at this date that Alex Dunne could take advantage of his position and become a natural competitor in F1. This also gives him a second year of Formula 2 to perfect his driving, keep the good points and erase, as much as possible, the mistakes of youth. The 19-year-old will inevitably be the big favorite for the title next season, if he were indeed to remain in the antechamber of the elite for another year. If Red Bull's support is confirmed, we can imagine seeing him arrive at Campos, the Spanish team which has become a training center for the young talents of the Winged Bull, and which regularly plays at the front. 2026 promises to be enticing!

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