F1 fans predict Alex Dunne’s future in Formula 1 after ‘immediate’ McLaren departure is confirmed

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McLaren have just announced the departure of F2 star Alex Dunne from their Driver Development Programme, and F1 fans have been quick to predict what the 19-year-old’s future now looks like in F1.

Dunne joined the Woking-based racing outfit during the 2024 season, whilst driving in the Formula 3 championship for MP Motorsport.

As well as benefitting from the endless amount of resources that McLaren has at their disposal, the young Irishman also took up reserve driver duties for the Formula E team of the British constructor alongside his full-time role as a driver for Rodin Motorsport in Formula 2.

Dunne impressed McLaren fans during his first official outing in F1 machinery during FP1 at the Austrian Grand Prix.

He has been tipped as one of the few drivers in the current F2 class who will find themselves in the pinnacle of motorsport in the future, with F1 commentator Alex Jacques stating that he would be “astounded” if he wasn’t.

READ MORE: Damon Hill shares his reaction to Alex Dunne replacing Lando Norris for McLaren during FP1 at the Austrian Grand Prix

F1 fans are certain that Alex Dunne will be a Racing Bulls driver next year

Despite being on the books at McLaren, Dunne has received interest from Red Bull, among other F1 outfits, over potentially joining their driver line-up for F1’s new era of regulations in 2026.

McLaren’s announcement post on Instagram highlights that Dunne will leave the team “with immediate effect”, indicating that a possible deal with another team was hindered by his ties to McLaren.

Fans quickly took to social media to express their opinion on what his next move will be, with one Instagram user commenting under McLaren’s post with, “Sounds like Alex got a drive or reserve role for next year.”

Helmut Marko is a fan of Dunne’s performances in F2 this year, which has led some fans to speculate over whether the Austrian advisor has already been in contact with him, with one user posting, “Helmut Marko has called.”

An X user shared a similar sentiment, commenting, “Dunne to VCARB it is then”, whilst a fan on Instagram offered a potential new-look lineup for the Faenza-based team next season, posting, “
So he’s off to Racing Bulls with [Arvid] Lindblad then.”

A Racing Bulls partnership consisting of Lindblad and Dunne was a common reaction to the news, with another X user sharing their verdict on Racing Bulls’ lineup if Hadjar gets the call-up to Red Bull next year, commenting, “Tsunoda & Lawson out. Lindblad & Dunne in.”

READ MORE: Alpine have now booked a private F1 test with ‘meteoric’ driver who could replace Franco Colapinto

McLaren failed to reach an agreement with Alex Dunne over ‘future opportunities’ in F1

Before the 19-year-old’s departure was announced, it was understood that McLaren were looking at loan opportunities for Dunne in the hopes of landing a spot for him on the F1 grid next season.

This may have been touted in his exit negotiations, with journalist Chris Medland revealing that McLaren offered the F2 star “future opportunities”, but an “acceptable” agreement was unable to be reached by both parties.

Dunne currently sits fifth in the drivers’ standings of the current Formula 2 season, 58 points behind championship-leader Leonardo Fornaroli.

With just two rounds of the season to go and a maximum of 70 points up for grabs, the Rodin Motorsport driver will need a serious string of results to go in his favour for him to be a title contender at the final feature race of the season in Abu Dhabi.

Despite not having a season worth an F1 promotion, David Coulthard thinks Dunne is “the real deal” and is determined to see another Irish talent compete in the pinnacle of single-seater motorsport.