Alex Dunne joins Alpine Academy ahead of sophomore F2 season

By Teagan Crump

After months of speculation, Alpine and Alex Dunne have officially announced that the Irishman will be joining the Alpine Academy.

📸: Alpine

Dunne will participating in his second Formula Two season in 2026, driving for Rodin Motorsport. In 2025, Dunne won two races and claimed a further six podiums on his way to fifth in the driver standings.

Dunne was also a member of the McLaren Driver Development Programme, which he left in October 2025. During his time with McLaren, the 20-year-old took part in two FP1 sessions in Austria and Italy. He impressed in Austria, setting the fourth fastest time.

In response to the announcement, Dunne said:

“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 also stated:

“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 1 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.”

Dunne's first race as an Alpine Academy driver will take place this weekend in Melbourne, Australia.