Alex Dunne Nears Alpine Reserve Deal for 2026 Despite Super Licence Hurdle

Irish Formula 2 standout Alex Dunne has entered the final stages of negotiations with Alpine for a 2026 reserve driver position following the collapse of Red Bull discussions. The 20-year-old's pending Super Licence – unsecured after Abu Dhabi feature race misfortune cost him a top-three championship finish – remains a technical consideration but not a contractual barrier according to Enstone sources.

Why it matters:

Alpine's pursuit reflects growing concerns about Franco Colapinto's adaptation to F1, with the Argentine's 2026 seat potentially contingent on improved performance. Securing Dunne would simultaneously address immediate reserve needs while positioning a proven race-winner (Bahrain 2024) for possible mid-season promotion, crucial for a team targeting consistent top-six finishes.

The Details:

• Licensing Strategy: Dunne requires 40 Super Licence points but currently holds only 18. Alpine plans to leverage his 2025 F2 campaign and McLaren FP1 appearances under FIA's "exceptional circumstances" clause, mirroring Yuki Tsunoda's 2021 fast-track pathway.
• Red Bull Fallout: Months of talks with Helmut Marko ended abruptly due to internal conflicts over junior driver management, with senior executives reportedly opposing Marko's unilateral decisions – leaving Dunne caught in the crossfire.
• Team Dynamics: Jack Doohan's expected departure to Super Formula opens one reserve slot, while Paul Aron retains his position. Dunne's signing would align with Alpine's strengthened technical partnership with Toyota, potentially creating Haas pathway opportunities.
• Proven Pedigree: Dunne emerged as McLaren's 2024 F3 standout before graduating to F2, where his Bahrain feature race victory and consistent podium challenges demonstrated adaptability – traits Alpine values amid regulation changes.

What's Next:

Contract finalization is imminent, though official announcement may wait until Dunne accumulates sufficient 2025 Super Licence points. The Irish driver will balance a full F2 season with Rodin Motorsport against Alpine's test/development program – a dual-role model increasingly common for reserve drivers targeting future race seats. Should Colapinto's performance plateau continue into 2026, Dunne's combination of junior series success and technical feedback capability could accelerate his path to a race seat earlier than anticipated.