Dunne on Cadillac\u2019s radar ahead of 2026<\/p>\n
In last year\u2019s Formula 2 Championship, there was immense coverage about the drivers fighting for a place in Formula 1.<\/p>\n
The excitement surrounding the likes of Kimi Antonelli<\/a> and Oliver Bearman \u2013 alongside the breakout performances from Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar \u2013 generated significant focus.<\/p>\n Unlike last season, however, the conversation surrounding this year\u2019s F2 grid has been relatively limited.<\/p>\n To some extent, this is because there are already so many rookies in F1.<\/p>\n In this sense, the hunger for more young drivers \u2013 at least amongst commentators and media analysis \u2013 has become less acute.<\/p>\n Of course, regardless of consensus, Formula 2 drivers continue to fight for their F1 aspirations.<\/p>\n With most of the season complete, one of the stand-out performers in 2025 has been Alex Dunne.<\/p>\n The 19-year-old is currently 5th in the standings, only 30 points behind Fornaroli in first \u2013 a very solid tally for a rookie.<\/p>\n As the likes of Piastri, Bortoleto<\/a> and Hadjar have shown in recent years, the F2 drivers most likely to be competitive in F1 are those who contend for the F2 Championship as rookies.<\/p>\n Despite his youth, there is no denying that Dunne has speed in abundance. His two Feature Race victories and two Pole Positions are evidence of this.<\/p>\n If anything, Dunne\u2019s only major point of criticism is the number of incidents that he\u2019s been involved in.<\/p>\n Generally speaking, his aggressive approach to wheel-to-wheel racing has been costly in his battle for the title.<\/p>\n Regardless, his pace is not to be overlooked, and GPBlog<\/a> report that Cadillac are in negotiations with the McLaren junior.<\/p>\n Because of McLaren\u2019s current driver line-up, Dunne\u2019s chances of joining F1 with the papaya team are unlikely.<\/p>\n This means that finding a seat elsewhere is essential, which is why contract talks with Cadillac are set to advance this summer.<\/p>\n Cadillac must make a key decision<\/p>\n Of course, Dunne is not the only person under consideration at Cadillac. At this stage, a long list of names have been associated with the US project.<\/p>\n Broadly speaking, the drivers previously mentioned \u2013 such as Bottas<\/a>, Perez\u00a0 and Drugovich<\/a> \u2013 are still firmly in contention.<\/p>\n Cadillac continue to monitor and explore these options, although their priorities for 2026 are yet to be fully defined.<\/p>\n The most important question concerning their 2026 line-up is whether they want two experienced drivers, or if they want a combination of youth and experience.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/2213174853-1024x683.jpg\")
Alex Dunne in Monaco. (Photo by Alastair Staley\/LAT Images)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/2225064147-1024x683.jpg\")
Alex Dunne prepares to drive during the Formula E Berlin Rookie Test in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Andrew Ferraro\/LAT Images)<\/p>\n