(Motorsport-Total.com) – Alpine has officially confirmed the inclusion of Irish Formula 2 driver Alex Dunne into its junior program. Dunne will compete in the feeder series for another year. Speculation about Dunne’s affiliation with Alpine had existed for some time, especially after he was spotted in the pink colors of team sponsor BWT during Formula 2 testing.
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Shortly before the start of the new 2026 season, the Enstone-based team has now finally confirmed the signing of the 20-year-old.
After finishing his 2025 debut season in fifth place overall, Dunne will return to Formula 2 with Rodin Motorsport. He will combine his racing duties with a development program as an official member of the Alpine Academy.
“I am very happy to join the Alpine Academy and take this next step in my racing career,” says Dunne. “I am very grateful for the trust the team is placing in me to represent the team and the brand on the global stage of Formula 2 – a series that has proven to be the perfect place to introduce young drivers to professional roles in racing.”
“After a good 2025 season, the goal for this year is naturally to fight for the drivers’ championship,” he says determinedly.
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The rocky road via McLaren and Red Bull
After completing two rookie practice sessions for McLaren in the premier class, Dunne parted ways with the Woking-based team in October, as his path to Formula 1 seemed blocked there. Briefly, there was an agreement with former Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, which was however canceled.
Dunne now joins a squad that includes Alpine’s main reserve driver Paul Aron – who, unlike Dunne, already possesses the necessary Super License points for Formula 1 – as well as Kush Maini and fellow junior Gabriele Mini.
Briatore sets clear goals for 2026
Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore adds: “We are delighted to welcome Alex as a member of our Academy at Alpine. His performances in Formula 2 and also his free practice sessions in Formula 1 last year were impressive. 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 seeing the three of them compete against each other in Formula 2 in 2026, with the goal being very clear: to win the drivers’ title.”
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