Alex Dunne set to join Alpine Academy after McLaren exit
Alex Dunne is closing in on a deal to join the Alpine Academy after leaving McLaren, having been seen testing in Alpine's colors in Barcelona. The move follows a failed switch to Red Bull and comes with the immediate goal of securing enough Super Licence points through his F2 campaign.
Alex Dunne is finalizing a move to the Alpine Academy, with the Irish driver spotted testing in Alpine's pink BWT-liveried car at the Formula 2 pre-season test in Barcelona. The deal, which follows his departure from McLaren's development program, marks a significant shift in the young driver's career path after he came close to joining Red Bull.
Why it matters:
Dunne's potential signing represents a strategic acquisition for Alpine's rebuilding driver academy. After losing several high-profile talents in recent years, securing a promising driver like Dunne, who nearly joined Red Bull, signals Alpine's renewed commitment to developing future Formula 1 talent under the guidance of Flavio Briatore.
The details:
- Dunne's switch comes after he and McLaren could not agree on his future direction, despite the Irishman participating in two FP1 sessions with the team last season.
- He was reportedly very close to joining Red Bull's junior program, with Helmut Marko eager to sign him. However, the deal fell apart due to a clash with Red Bull's new management, resulting in a $600,000 compensation payment to Dunne.
- Super Licence Hurdle: A key complication in the Alpine negotiations is Dunne's current FIA Super Licence status. He has not yet accumulated the required 40 points, making him ineligible for a full Super Licence and thus a formal reserve driver role with the F1 team.
- Testing in Alpine Colors: Despite the deal not being formally signed, Dunne is already testing with Rodin Motorsport in a car featuring Alpine and BWT branding at the Barcelona F2 test, indicating the advanced stage of negotiations.
What's next:
Upon finalizing the agreement, Dunne will join Alpine Academy alongside reserve drivers Paul Aron and Kush Maini, all vying for a future race seat with the Enstone-based F1 team. His immediate focus will be on performing strongly in the upcoming F2 season with Rodin Motorsport to earn the Super Licence points needed to unlock that potential F1 pathway.