Shock as Irish Formula 1 prospect leaves McLaren with big move rumoured

Ireland's rising motorsport ace Alex Dunne has announced his departure from McLaren's Driver Development programme with rumours abound he may be moving up to Formula 1.

The Offaly teenager has turned heads in Formula 2 as part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme where he has been in contention for the championship title most of the season.

Dunne has won two feature races in his debut season in F2 and was also called up to drive the cars of McLaren's F1 drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in different practice sessions. His also driven the F1 car in development sessions.

In a statement on Thursday, Dunne said: "From today I’ve mutually decided to part ways with the McLaren Driver Development programme.

"I’d like to thank every individual at McLaren that has helped me develop and improve as a driver, To have my first opportunity to drive an F1 car followed by two FP1 sessions is something I’ll always hold very close to my heart, I wish them all the best for the future. Thank you Papaya family.

READ NEXT: Podium finish for Alex Dunne in F2 Sprint Race in Azerbaijan

"Still two important rounds left to focus on this year, very excited for what’s to come," he concluded.

Formula 1 news site Planet F1 report that Dunne could be in line for a role with Red Bull or their sister team Racing Bulls in F1. Dunne has met with Helmut Marko, the man at the helm of Red Bull's driver development programme and adviser to its F1 team. 

Dunne is one of the hottest talents in the sport and will be hopeful of securing an F1 seat in the coming seasons. Racing Bulls star Isack Hadjar is fancied to step up to the Red Bull team alongside Max Verstappen, with teammate Liam Lawson not signed up yet for the Racing Bulls team in 2026. 

Dunne's fellow F2 star Arvid Lindblad looks a shoe-in for the Racing Bulls team if they are to change their pair, but the second seat could be a possibility. F1 teams all also have third drivers as back-up and for testing and Dunne could be in that frame for multiple teams. Yuki Tsunoda, current Red Bull driver, would also be in the mix if demoted in favour of Hadjar.

It remains to be seen where Alex Dunne will end up in the shake-up but given his sudden announcement about his departure from McLaren, it's likely he has a new gig lined up. Alpine are also yet to confirm their driver line-up with a seat potentially up for grabs there alongside former Red Bull man Pierre Gasly.