Alex joins Alpine Academy

/in /by

BWT Alpine Formula One Team is pleased to confirm Alex Dunne has signed with the Alpine Academy as the Irishman embarks on a second season in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Rodin Motorsport.

The 20-year-old from Clonbullogue, Republic of Ireland, becomes a fully-fledged member of the Alpine Academy, the team’s young driver programme, which aims to progress driving talent into the realms of professional motorsport. Dunne will sport an Alpine livery on his Rodin Motorsport machine as the FIA Formula 2 season begins with the season opener in Australia on the Formula One undercard in March.

Dunne began his career karting in his native Ireland, before entering the European and World stage, winning the 2019 WSK Champions Cup in the OK-J category. Stepping up to single seaters, Dunne won the 2022 F4 British Championship after winning 11 races and finished second in the Italian F4 Championship the same year. The following season, he finished runner-up in the 2023 GB3 Championship, before a debut campaign in FIA Formula 3 in 2024. In 2025, Dunne progressed to FIA Formula 2, catching the eye with two wins, two pole positions and eight podiums overall on his way to fifth place in the Championship. During the season, he sampled Formula One machinery for the first time, after taking part in two Free Practice 1 sessions with current world champions, McLaren.

Alex Dunne:
“I am really happy to be joining the Alpine Academy and making this next step in my racing career. I am very grateful for the trust the team has in me to represent the team and the brand on the global stage in FIA Formula 2, which has proven to be the perfect place to progress young drivers into professional racing roles. Naturally, after a competitive season in 2025, the goal this year is to fight for the Drivers’ Championship. Last year was a great experience on many fronts. Lots learned, lots gained, some challenges along the way, but everything has made me a better driver, a better person, and I aim to give my all for Alpine and doing my best as an Alpine Academy driver. It would be great to reward the team for their faith with wins and podiums and I am excited to work together with everyone in this next chapter of my career.”

Flavio Briatore:
“We are pleased to welcome Alex to Alpine as a member of our Academy. His performances in FIA Formula 2 and also his Free Practice sessions in Formula One last year were impressive and he is clearly a very talented young driver with pure, natural speed. We have a talented pool of drivers in Formula 2 with Gabriele Mini and Kush Maini. We look forward to watching the three of them compete in FIA Formula 2 in 2026 where the goal is very clear: to win the Drivers’ Championship.”

 

You can follow Alex on:

  ¦   

‘The second year is to win’ – Alex sets his sights on 2026

/in /by

Alex is very confident that he will have the chance to fight for the Drivers’ Championship in 2026, believing he and Rodin Motorsport have learned a lot from last season.

Alex spoke to fiaformula2.com about 2025 and his hopes for 2026.

You can read the full interview HERE.

 

You can follow Alex on:

  ¦   

Alex continues his F2 journey with Rodin in 2026

/in /by

After concluding his rookie year in the Formula 2 championship, achieving multiple podiums and two feature race wins, Alex will remain with Rodin Motorsport to complete the team’s 2026 lineup.

Recently completing an impressive season, Alex finished P5 in the overall standings, securing two pole positions, eight podiums, and two race wins. Throughout the year, Alex demonstrated his ability to adapt quickly to the challenges of the competitive Formula 2 environment, developing a reputation as a spirited and determined competitor. His ability to deliver under pressure and maintain a high level of performance across different circuits highlighted his growth as a driver and underscored his potential for future success.

Both Alex and the Rodin Motorsport team are optimistic that the experience gained in 2025 will serve as a solid foundation, allowing them to build upon their achievements and continue the momentum into his second year with the team.

Continuing with the team, Alex said,

“I’m really happy to be staying with Rodin for the 2026 season; I’ve built a great relationship with the whole team and the way we work together is really positive. I’m confident that we will be fighting for the title next year.”

Rodin Motorsport’s Sporting Director Benn Huntingford,

“We’re really pleased to have Alex back with the team for a second year. He’s made strong progress throughout this season and we’ve seen real maturity in how he approaches his work both on and off the track. With the experience he’s gained and the continuity we now have, I’m confident he can take another big step forward. It’s great to continue this journey together.”

 

You can follow Alex on:

  ¦   

Alex Dunne parts ways with McLaren

/in /by

Alex’s has split from the McLaren Driver Development programme in what is a mutual decision to part ways. Here is Alex’s statement regarding the split and what the future holds.

“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.

I still have two F2 rounds to complete this season and that will be my focus for now, but I am very excited for what’s to come in my future career.”

Watch this space!

 

You can follow Alex on:

  ¦   

Alex pushed off for the second race weekend in a row

/in /by

Alex’s title hopes suffered a huge blow in Baku, despite another sprint race podium, as championship leader Leonardo Fornaroli rammed him from behind in the Feature Race. 

You can read the official FIA F2 Sprint Race report HERE, with the Feature race available HERE. You can also watch highlights of both races on the FIA F2 YouTube channel, SPRINT RACE & FEATURE RACE.

 

You can follow Alex on:

  ¦   

Sprint and feature race incidents make for pointless Monza F2 weekend

/in /by

Two non-finishes due to other drivers mistakes ruined a potentially high scoring weekend for Alex. In the sprint race Sami Megatounif took Alex out as he tried in vain to defend his position into the first chicane and then things got worse in the Feature Race as Arvid Linblad ploughed into the back of Alex’s car entering the final chicane. 

You can read the official FIA F2 Sprint Race report HERE, with the Feature race available HERE. You can also watch highlights of both races on the FIA F2 YouTube channel, SPRINT RACE & FEATURE RACE.

 

You can follow Alex on:

  ¦   

Sprint race podium highlight of Hungary weekend

/in /by

Alex picked up another podium in the Hungarian Grand Prix F2 Sprint Race. Starting second Alex had a tough fight to finish in that position which included one of his signature late braking moves to take the position from Arvid Linblad. A last lap effort to take the lead came to nought on this notoriously tight track. The Feature race saw Alex start and finish ninth in difficult wet and dry conditions.

You can read the official FIA F2 Sprint Race report HERE, with the Feature race available HERE. You can also watch highlights of both races on the FIA F2 YouTube channel, SPRINT RACE & FEATURE RACE.

 

You can follow Alex on:

  ¦   

Technical infringement sees Alex lose Belgian win

/in /by

Having taken pole at Spa Francorchamps and been the stand out driver all weekend, Alex would lose his third feature race victory of the year due to a post race technical issue. Seventh place in the sprint race would therefore be his only reward from a very strong weekend.

You can read the official FIA F2 Sprint Race report HERE, with the Feature race available HERE. You can also watch highlights of both races on the FIA F2 YouTube channel, SPRINT RACE & FEATURE RACE.

 

You can follow Alex on:

  ¦   

Impressive run to second place in Silverstone feature for Alex Dunne

/in /by

Sunday’s feature race at Silverstone brought another feature race podium as Alex came home second behind Jak Crawford. It could very easily have been anopther win but for a number of safety car interruptions which thwarted Alex’s chances of mounting a challenge on the leader. The sprint race saw Alex involved in a collision with Gabriele Mini with the Italian receiving a penalty for causing the accident which was no consolation to Alex who had to retire.

You can read the official FIA F2 Sprint Race report HERE, with the Feature race available HERE. You can also watch highlights of both races on the FIA F2 YouTube channel, SPRINT RACE & FEATURE RACE.

 

You can follow Alex on:

  ¦   

Stunning F1 debut for Alex Dunne in Austria

/in /by

On a weekend where Alex made his F1 debut, a strong fightback following a time penalty in the Austrian Sprint race was followed by a disqualification for a technical infringement in the feature race to leave Alex disappointed leaving the Red Bull ring despite two very strong showings.

Alex’s first Free Practice 1 appearance for McLaren was much more successful, as the young Irish driver stunned the F1 paddock with fourth place. See the highlights from Austria FP1.

You can read the official FIA F2 Sprint Race report HERE, with the Feature race available HERE and details of Alex’s disqualification HERE. You can also watch highlights of both races on the FIA F2 YouTube channel, SPRINT RACE & FEATURE RACE.

 

You can follow Alex on:

  ¦