Dunne joins Alpine young driver programme for 2026 season

Offaly Formula 2 racing star Alex Dunne has joined Alpine's young driver programme for the 2026 season.

While a deal has not yet been announced, the Clonbullogue native drove with an Alpine branded design on his Rodin Motorsport car at F2's pre-season test in Barcelona.

Dunne departed McLaren at the end of the 2025 F2 season, a campaign which saw him finished in fifth place on the driver's standings.

During his F2 championship season, the Rodin Motorsport team member became the first Irish driver to win an F2 race, claiming pole position at both Bahrain and Italy Grand Prix races.

He also participated in F1 practice sessions at both the Austrian and Italian Grand Prix races.

Now, after months of speculation and reported interest from several teams, including Red Bull, Dunne will be contracted to Alpine for the upcoming Formula 2 season.

The F2 season begins alongside the F1 calendar in Melbourne from 6-8 March.