Alex Dunne Leaves McLaren; Multiple Teams Interested

Alex Dunne, 19, has left the McLaren Driver Development Programme with immediate effect after the parties failed to agree terms, a split described as mutual. Dunne impressed in FP1 outings this season — notably finishing fourth in FP1 at the Austrian Grand Prix, 0.069s behind Oscar Piastri — and has two F2 wins (Bahrain and Imola) but has slipped to fifth in the championship after a loss of form and on-track issues. McLaren said its pathway was constrained by long-term contracts for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri and sources say the team offered continuation terms Dunne did not accept. The parting has freed Dunne to be linked with rival programmes; reports say Red Bull, Alpine and Racing Bulls have shown interest, and Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko said the team talks to "all fast drivers." Dunne said he is “very excited for what’s to come” and McLaren praised his contributions, with two F2 rounds remaining and several 2026 seats unresolved leaving Dunne as a candidate for recruitment or promotion.