Red Bull Confirms Interest in Former McLaren Junior Alex Dunne

Rumors are swirling after Red Bull's motorsport advisor, Dr. Helmut Marko, openly expressed the team's interest in former McLaren junior driver Alex Dunne. Marko's comments highlight Dunne's aggressive driving style and raw speed as key attributes that align perfectly with Red Bull's long-standing driver development philosophy. This potential move could significantly impact Dunne's career trajectory and Red Bull's future driver lineup.

Why it matters:

After McLaren's recent announcement of Dunne's departure from their driver development program, his availability has become a hot topic in the F1 paddock. Red Bull's swift move to express interest signals a potential high-stakes battle for a promising young talent, especially given the ongoing uncertainties surrounding driver lineups at both Red Bull Racing and its sister team, Racing Bulls. Securing a driver of Dunne's caliber could bolster Red Bull's talent pipeline, which has historically been a strong asset for the team.

The Details:

• Marko's Comments: Dr. Helmut Marko, known for his keen eye for talent, described Alex Dunne as a "very fast, aggressive young driver" and a "good fit for Red Bull." He confirmed that Red Bull would "definitely be talking to" Dunne now that he is available.
• Dunne's Attributes: Marko noted Dunne's "aggressive, fast, and good car control" while also acknowledging that the 19-year-old is "making lots of mistakes as well, at the moment." This balance of raw talent and areas for improvement is characteristic of drivers Red Bull often targets.
• McLaren Departure: McLaren announced Dunne's departure from its driver development program on Thursday, stating that the split was mutual. Dunne confirmed this on social media, expressing gratitude for his time with McLaren, including his two FP1 sessions in an F1 car.
• Impressive Rookie Season: Despite his departure from McLaren, Dunne has had a strong rookie Formula 2 season with Rodin Motorsport, securing feature race victories in Bahrain and Imola. He also made history as the first Irish driver in 22 years to participate in an F1 weekend's free practice sessions.

The Big Picture:

McLaren's current F1 lineup of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris is locked in until at least the end of 2026, which limited Dunne's immediate prospects for an F1 seat with the team. This situation mirrors Gabriel Bortoleto's departure from McLaren last year, indicating a pattern for drivers seeking clearer paths to F1. For Red Bull, integrating Dunne into their junior ranks would place him on a potential pathway to Racing Bulls, particularly with the 2026 driver market in flux.

What's next:

If Dunne joins Red Bull, he is expected to remain in F2 next season. His potential move to Racing Bulls for 2026 or beyond could be part of a broader shake-up, especially with Isack Hadjar rumored to replace Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull Racing. This would leave both Tsunoda and Liam Lawson's futures at Racing Bulls uncertain, potentially opening up a spot for Dunne. Arvid Lindblad is also anticipated to make a move to F1 with the Faenza-based squad, further complicating the competitive landscape for these young talents.