Irish racing driver Alex Dunne has broken his silence on his surprising exit from the McLaren Formula 1 family, confirming the move was a deliberate choice made to secure his future in the sport.
The Decision to Leave McLaren
Alex Dunne clarified that his departure from the McLaren young driver programme in October 2025 was entirely voluntary. Speaking to Irish publication Balls.ie, the 20-year-old stated, "it was actually my decision." He explained the strategic reasoning behind the bold move, which was to avoid a potential year on the sidelines in 2026 while McLaren's current F1 driver line-up of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri remains firmly in place.
Dunne revealed that while his father was initially uncertain about the choice, the young driver felt "more than comfortable" with it. He framed the exit as a necessary step within a larger, calculated plan to ultimately reach the pinnacle of motorsport and become a Formula One driver.
A Positive Legacy and Learning from the Best
Despite choosing to walk away, Dunne reflected very positively on his time with the Woking-based team, which is the reigning F1 world champion. He expressed significant gratitude towards CEO Zak Brown and the organisation for the "pretty special" opportunities afforded to him.
"I’ll always thank McLaren for that opportunity," Dunne said, specifically highlighting his successful FP1 debut at the Austrian Grand Prix. During that session, he impressed by setting a pace within two-tenths of a second of established star Oscar Piastri.
He also offered insight into working alongside the team's leading drivers. Dunne described both Lando Norris and Piastri as "normal people" who simply find themselves on television more often than most. He found the chance to observe their professional approach to a race weekend "pretty cool" and considered it an invaluable lesson for his own career trajectory.
Future Plans and the 2027 Driver Market
At the time of his McLaren exit, Dunne was heavily linked with a switch to the Red Bull junior programme overseen by Helmut Marko, but a deal never materialised. The talented Irishman has also been connected with the Alpine team, which may be evaluating its options as it considers Franco Colapinto's long-term future for the 2026 season.
For 2026, Dunne's immediate focus is on his second season in Formula 2, where he will drive for Rodin Motorsport. His clear objective is to challenge for the championship title. Being unattached to a specific F1 junior programme could provide him with greater flexibility as the driver market for the 2027 season begins to develop, allowing him to negotiate with a wider range of teams.
Dunne's candid explanation provides a rare glimpse into the strategic calculations young drivers must make as they navigate the highly competitive path to a Formula One seat.
