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Ex-McLaren star in talks to sign with rival F1 team after Red Bull snub
Former McLaren junior Alex Dunne is reportedly in talks to sign with a rival F1 team after his mysterious departure from the papaya squad earlier this season. The Irish racer currently sits in P5 in the F2 drivers’ standings with just one round to go in Abu Dhabi.
Despite a start with McLaren, he’s likely to end the season without F1 team backing. Rumours suggest Red Bull’s interest in him, but conflicting opinions within the team may hinder his signing.
Now, reports indicate that Dunne is considering a role with Alpine’s driver development programme for the future. Though an immediate F1 promotion is unlikely, the opportunity to join Alpine could materialize sooner rather than later.
As Red Bull has confirmed its line-up for 2026 without Dunne, Alpine may provide a new path for the young driver’s F1 aspirations. The intrigue now lies in the potential partnership between Dunne and Alpine as it could shape his future in motorsport.
