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Alpine confirms adding ex-McLaren junior talent to its Academy roster

F1 News

09:17, 04 Mar

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Co-author:Kada Sárközi

byNicole Mulder

Alpine has officially confirmed the arrival of Alex Dunne to its junior programme.

GPblog previously reported that Dunne was in advanced talks with the French Formula 1 team. During the Formula 2 test in Barcelona, he already drove with an Alpine livery on his Rodin Motorsport car.

An official announcement did not follow at the time, but it has now been confirmed that the 20-year-old Irishman is joining the Alpine Academy and will also race in Formula 2 this season for Rodin Motorsport. He will make his first appearance during the Grand Prix weekend in Australia.

Dunne to Alpine Academy is now official

Dunne said: "I am really happy to be joining the Alpine Academy and making this next step in my racing career. I am very grateful for the trust the team has in me to represent the team and the brand on the global stage in FIA Formula 2, which has proven to be the perfect place to progress young drivers into professional racing roles.

"Naturally, after a competitive season in 2025, the goal this year is to fight for the Drivers' Championship. Last year was a great experience on many fronts. Lots learned, lots gained, some challenges along the way, but everything has made me a better driver, a better person, and I aim to give my all for Alpine and doing my best as an Alpine Academy driver.

"It would be great to reward the team for their faith with wins and podiums and I am excited to work together with everyone in this next chapter of my career."

Flavio Briatore is also positive about the Irishman’s arrival. “We are pleased to welcome Alex to Alpine as a member of our Academy. His performances in FIA Formula 2 and also his Free Practice sessions in Formula One last year were impressive and 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 watching the three of them compete in FIA Formula 2 in 2026 where the goal is very clear: to win the Drivers' Championship.”

Dunne impressed in Formula 2 last year with two victories, two pole positions, and eight podiums, which ultimately earned him fifth place in the championship. That left him just short of the required forty super license points to serve as an official Formula 1 reserve driver. During that season, he also took part in two free practice sessions for McLaren.

After parting ways with McLaren’s development programme, Dunne was linked to several teams. Red Bull Racing—particularly Helmut Marko—showed interest, but no agreement was reached. Alpine subsequently signed the 20-year-old Irishman.