David Coulthard determined to see one brand-new name join the 2026 F1 grid, ‘he’s the real deal’

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Four drivers graduated to Formula 1 directly from F2 last year. All four have proved they’re F1 worthy, but the path may be blocked in 2025.

Last year’s champion, Gabriel Bortoleto, is competing with runner-up Isack Hadjar again, this time for the unofficial ‘Rookie of the Year’ mantle. Bortoleto is rapidly emerging as a top-tier talent, while Hadjar could be racing for Red Bull as soon as 2026.

Kimi Antonelli has been less consistent under the spotlight at Mercedes, but he’s still become the third-youngest driver to finish on the podium and the youngest to score a pole position. Oliver Bearman’s lowly championship position (19th) belies his competitive showing against Haas teammate Esteban Ocon.

These drivers benefited from a hectic F1 driver market last year, with more than half the grid out of contract. Naturally, after most signed long-term deals, it’s been a tamer silly season, but there are still a couple of drivers who will be holding out hope amid ongoing vacancies at Alpine, Racing Bulls and Cadillac.

David Coulthard says McLaren junior Alex Dunne is ready for F1

When the season paused for the summer break, Leonardo Fornaroli was leading the F2 championship. Alex Jacques says it’s ‘mind-blowing’ that Fornaroli hasn’t been offered an F1 deal of some description for 2026.

Jak Crawford has been linked with Cadillac and has shown he’s America’s best young talent by collecting 137 points, which puts him just 17 behind Fornaroli. Series veteran Richard Verschoor is third ahead of Williams junior Luke Browning.

Just 30 points separate the leading quintet, which is completed by Alex Dunne. The Irishman has won two races and scored six podiums this year.

Dunne made an outstanding F1 debut in FP1 at the Austrian Grand Prix, driving for McLaren. He was fourth-fastest overall and within a tenth of Oscar Piastri.

“I know he’s the real deal,” David Coulthard said on the Indo Sport podcast. “I know that he’s super impressive. I know that he’s caught the attention of not only McLaren – he’s part of their programme – but other people within the sport have sat up.

“He’s got an edge to him. I was almost going to say wildness, but that’s not the right word. He’s got an edge, which is exciting, and he deserves a place in Formula 1.

“You get one opportunity in Formula 1, very often, to make an impression, and he made an impression.”

Is Alex Dunne a wildcard Cadillac candidate for 2026?

Karun Chandhok said McLaren should loan Dunne to Cadillac after that ‘super impressive’ Red Bull Ring performance. And it seems to have caught the eye of Graeme Lowdon and co.

It recently emerged that Cadillac are interested in Dunne as they refuse to rule out signing a rookie. Felipe Drugovich, a former F2 champion, is also a contender.

Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas are the favourites for those two seats. But Perez and Bottas aren’t long-term options, so even if he misses out at first, Dunne could be a candidate for 2027 or 2028.

The 19-year-old has outperformed the biggest name in the series – Arvid Lindblad (seventh). Lindblad is expected to join Racing Bulls next year as Red Bull reshuffle their F1 line-ups.