Red Bull F1 Chief Confirms Talks with Former McLaren Talent Alex Dunne After His Release
In the buildup to the Singapore Grand Prix, McLaren shocked many in the motorsport world by parting ways with Irish driver Alex Dunne, ending his two-year association with the team’s young driver development program. Dunne, who currently races in Formula 2, had shown flashes of brilliance during his time with McLaren. He participated in two Formula 1 practice sessions—first in Austria, where he secured the fourth-fastest time, and later in Monza, where he placed 16th. Despite his promise, McLaren made it clear that their F1 future remains firmly in the hands of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, leaving no available seat for the young prospect.
Following the mutual termination of his McLaren contract, Dunne’s career has become the subject of intense speculation, and it didn’t take long for another major team to express interest. Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, confirmed in an interview with Sky Sports Germany that discussions have begun with the Irishman. Marko described Dunne as “a very fast, aggressive, young driver,” noting that such characteristics fit perfectly with Red Bull’s high-intensity racing culture.
“Because he’s now completely free after leaving McLaren by mutual agreement, he’s certainly someone we’ll be speaking to,” Marko stated. He went on to acknowledge that while Dunne still needs to refine certain aspects of his performance, his raw speed, determination, and racing instinct align with what Red Bull seeks in its future stars.
If the talks materialize into an agreement, Dunne could potentially join the Red Bull junior setup rather than move directly into a Formula 1 race seat. Red Bull traditionally grooms emerging drivers through its development teams—such as the Racing Bulls outfit—before considering promotion to the main team.
The possible arrival of Dunne adds another layer of intrigue to Red Bull’s already competitive driver ecosystem. The team currently manages several young drivers pushing for an F1 breakthrough, including Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad, both of whom have impressed in Formula 2. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda’s inconsistent performances this season have placed him under growing pressure, making the team’s future driver lineup even more uncertain.
For Dunne, this opportunity could mark a crucial turning point. Being released from McLaren might have closed one door, but it also freed him to explore new partnerships that could fast-track his rise to the top level of motorsport. However, his next step will depend heavily on his performance for the remainder of the Formula 2 season, as he needs strong results to secure the points required for an FIA Super Licence—an essential credential for any driver aspiring to reach Formula 1.
In summary, McLaren’s decision to release Alex Dunne has unexpectedly opened the door for Red Bull to swoop in and potentially add the promising young Irishman to their driver ranks. With Marko’s confirmation of interest, all eyes will be on whether Red Bull follows through with a formal offer. Should that happen, Dunne’s move could significantly shake up the team’s developmental structure and further intensify the competition among Red Bull’s rising stars.
