Alex Dunne in talks with F1 team after McLaren exit and Red Bull snub

Former McLaren junior Alex Dunne is in talks with Alpine over a reserve role for the 2026 F1 season, RacingNews365 understands.

The Irish driver, who was recently confirmed to be staying with Rodin Motorsport for next year's F2 campaign, left the Woking-based squad's driver development programme in October, ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix.

It was a mutual decision between the two parties after a difference of opinion over the direction of his future in motorsport.

It also came after rumours he could be an option for Red Bull — initially as part of its own academy — which surfaced weeks earlier during the Italian Grand Prix weekend.

Prior to his exit from the F1 constructors' champions, there were also talks between McLaren, Dunne and Alpine, and those discussions between the latter two have now resumed.

Initially, after he left the papaya team, Red Bull appeared to be the most likely landing spot for the 20-year-old, but that did not come to fruition.

In recent days, there has been speculation that Helmut Marko, who has since left Red Bull, signed Dunne unilaterally, in a move that had to be unwound, reportedly to the tune of a significant sum.

Dunne impressed during his rookie F2 season, taking two victories and a further six podiums, but was also involved in a number of incidents, including at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

This has seen him reach 12 points on his FIA super licence over the campaign, which usually mandates a suspension. Therefore, it is expected he will have to sit out the 2026 curtain-raiser in Melbourne.

Dunne finished the season fifth in the F2 standings, which is worth 20 points towards the required 40 for his full super licence, but he is still permitted to take part in F1 free practice sessions, which he did on two occasions for McLaren this year.