Alpine confirms signing of Alex Dunne for its academy – After stints at McLaren and Red Bull, the youngster is making a permanent move to Enstone
Alpine has officially confirmed the addition of Irish Formula 2 driver Alex Dunne to its junior program. Dunne will compete in the junior series for another year. There had been speculation about Dunne joining Alpine for some time, especially after he was spotted in the pink colors of team sponsor BWT during Formula 2 tests. Shortly before the start of the new 2026 season, the Enstone-based team has now finally confirmed the signing of the 20-year-old.
After finishing his debut season in 2025 in fifth place overall, Dunne will return to Formula 2 with Rodin Motorsport. He will combine his racing commitments with a development program as an official member of the Alpine Academy. “I am very excited to join the Alpine Academy and take this next step in my racing career,” said Dunne. “I am very grateful for the trust the team has placed in me to represent the team and the brand on the global stage of Formula 2—a series that has proven to be the perfect place to introduce young drivers to professional roles in racing.”
“After a good 2025 season, the goal for this year is obviously to fight for the drivers’ championship,” he says combatively.
The rocky road via McLaren and Red Bull
After completing two rookie practice sessions for McLaren in the premier class, Dunne parted ways with the Woking-based team in October as his path to Formula 1 seemed blocked there. There was a brief agreement with former Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, but that was canceled.
Dunne now joins a squad that includes Alpine’s main reserve driver Paul Aron—who, unlike Dunne, already has the necessary super license points for Formula 1—as well as Kush Maini and junior colleague Gabriele Mini.
Briatore sets clear goals for 2026
Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore adds: “We are delighted to welcome Alex to Alpine as a member of our Academy. His performances in Formula 2 and also his free practice sessions in Formula 1 last year were impressive. He is clearly a very talented young driver with pure, natural speed.”
“We have a talented pool of drivers in Formula 2 with Gabriele Mini and Kush Maini. We look forward to seeing the three of them compete against each other in Formula 2 in 2026, with a clear goal: to win the drivers’ title.”
