Four Formula 1 drivers who will now be worried after Alex Dunne is released by McLaren

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McLaren have parted ways with Formula 2 driver Alex Dunne from their Driver Development Programme, it was confirmed on Thursday.

The Irishman only joined the Woking outfit’s setup in May 2024 during his debut year in Formula 3. But after 16 months, McLaren and Dunne have gone their separate ways.

The 19-year-old is currently competing in Formula 2 and had made an appearance in FP1 for McLaren at the Austrian GP, finishing the session an impressive fourth. F1 fans were astonished by Dunne’s performance as he was immediately on the pace of Oscar Piastri.

His display was so good that Karun Chandhok suggested Cadillac should sign Dunne for 2026. No move ended up materialising, but McLaren had been looking around the paddock for a potential seat for their driver.

The team do not have a space for the Irishman as Piastri and Lando Norris are tied to long-term contracts. Now that Dunne has left McLaren, four drivers will be worried about the possibility of him replacing them as early as 2026.

Franco Colapinto

McLaren deemed Alpine to be a ‘good fit’ for Dunne as they searched the paddock for an opening. It is said that the team were pushing for the 19-year-old to join the Enstone outfit, with Franco Colapinto being out of contract in 2025.

The Argentine is facing immense pressure to keep his F1 career alive. He has yet to score a point this season after he replaced Jack Doohan six races in.

Rumours have been rife as to whether the 21-year-old will keep his seat, with Paul Aron said to be battling Colapinto. Team boss Flavio Briatore says Alpine will promote from within, but given McLaren’s connections, it would not be surprising to see the team make a swoop for Dunne.

Colapinto will finish the 2025 season, but with Alpine bottom of the constructors’ championship, the team will want to see a dramatic improvement in the final seven races. If results do not improve, Dunne could be another driver who applies pressure on the Argentine.

READ MORE: Who is Alpine 2025 F1 driver Franco Colapinto? Everything you need to know

Yuki Tsunoda

After his exit from McLaren, it was reported that Dunne had a meeting with Helmut Marko over ‘a seat’ within the Red Bull setup in 2026. With three seats available, it puts several drivers at risk of dropping off the grid.

Yuki Tsunoda looks set to leave Red Bull at the end of the season, having desperately struggled to find results in the RB21. Sitting 17th in the standings, with Max Verstappen third and fighting for the title, the Japanese driver faces falling out of F1 entirely.

There is a saving grace, however, as Tsunoda could return to Racing Bulls. But he is facing serious competition from several drivers in the Red Bull setup, and Dunne could now join that list.

Tsunoda’s only option to stay at Red Bull is to move back to the so-called ‘junior team’. But given his experience, it would make more sense for someone like Dunne to come in and develop their talent; Aston Martin could be Tsunoda’s ‘last shot’ in F1.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda’s life outside F1 from height to parents

Liam Lawson

Similar to Tsunoda, Liam Lawson faces uncertainty for 2026 as his contract at Racing Bulls expires at the end of the season.

The New Zealander had a torrid start to 2025, getting axed by Red Bull after just two races. But since returning to Racing Bulls, he has regained his confidence and is starting to produce results – Baku was his best F1 weekend to date, qualifying third and finishing fifth.

Lawson will not return to Red Bull, but his chances of keeping his seat at the Faenza outfit are improving with his latest performances. He seems more likely to be retained by Racing Bulls than Tsunoda rejoining the team.

However, Red Bull are notorious for making harsh decisions with their driver, and given Marko’s conversations with Dunne, Lawson’s future may not be totally secure, as Racing Bulls could make a swoop for the Irishman.

READ MORE: Who is Racing Bulls F1 driver Liam Lawson? Everything you need to know

Arvid Lindblad

Dunne becoming a free agent is also a threat to Red Bull talent outside of F1. Arvid Lindblad is looking to get onto the grid in 2026.

Marko sees Lindblad as Verstappen’s ‘successor’, having greatly impressed Red Bull in the junior categories. He acquired an FIA superlicence this year and took part in FP1 at Silverstone alongside his F2 duties.

Lindblad ‘truly believes’ he will join Racing Bulls in 2026, with him believed to be battling Tsunoda and Lawson for a seat. But Dunne adds another driver to the equation, and his results are more favourable than the 18-year-old’s.

While the pair both have two wins, Dunne has seven podiums to Lindblad’s five, and sits fifth in the standings, two places ahead of the Brit. Some Red Bull staff disagree with Marko about promoting Lindblad; Dunne could make a better case to join the grid if he signs with Red Bull.