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He will continue with Rodin Motorsport for a second year in 2026. However, he has stepped away from the McLaren driver academy in the past six months, meaning his F2 car will no longer carry the British team’s distinctive papaya-orange livery.<\/p>\n
Given the fact McLaren won both F1 championships in 2025, Dunne’s decision to step away from the team drew much attention – and speculation as to what alternative deals he may have lined up.<\/p>\n
The most heavily rumoured of those moves appears to have been confirmed from behind-the-scenes photos of the pre-season F2 test at Barcelona.<\/p>\n
READ HERE: Gaelic Football Power Rankings: Ranking The Top 16 Teams In Division 1 And 2<\/a><\/p>\n READ HERE: Johnny Sexton Praises Edwin Edogbo For Response To Vile Racist Abuse<\/a><\/p>\n Alex Dunne on the verge of confirming Alpine F1 deal<\/p>\n Leaked photos from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya show Alex Dunne’s #15 Rodin Motorsport car decked out in the colours of F1 team Alpine, appearing to confirm his widely reported move to the French outfit’s driver academy.<\/p>\n Shared by @PitLane_F1 on Twitter, the images show Dunne’s car in Alpine’s distinctive pink livery, and carrying the logo of the team’s title sponsor BWT.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udea8\ud83d\udea8\ud83d\udea8<\/p>\n EXCLUSIVA <\/p>\n Alex Dunne ya rueda con los colores rosas de @AlpineF1Team<\/a> en los test de F2 <\/p>\n Todo parece indicar que ser\u00e1 parte del equipo franc\u00e9s esta temporada pic.twitter.com\/ldNrSNC7Kh<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 PitLane Motor (@PitLane_F1) February 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Alpine have yet to confirm their 2026 F1 livery, or announce Dunne as part of their academy, and the Irishman has been noticeably absent from the images shared publicly by Formula 2 from their Barcelona test.<\/p>\n The leaked photos would appear to confirm why that is the case, as they would confirm a move that has been widely reported in the motorsport media since Dunne’s McLaren departure.<\/p>\n Alpine chief Flavio Briatore is said to be a big fan of Dunne’s, and eager to give the Irishman a chance in Formula 1.<\/p>\n However, Dunne is yet to rack up the necessary SuperLicence points to secure a place in F1, and thus the French marque are prepared to support his continued F2 journey in pursuit of those crucial points.<\/p>\n The 20-year-old is vying with fellow prospects Paul Aron and Kush Maini for a future Alpine F1 race seat, as per PlanetF1<\/a>.<\/p>\n Currently, the Enstone-based team field race winner Pierre Gasly and Argentine Franco Colapinto in Formula 1.<\/p>\n The signs were encouraging for Dunne from the first day of testing in Barcelona, as he finished P7 for the day.<\/p>\n Last month, we spoke exclusively to Alex Dunne about his first year in Formula 2, his decision to leave McLaren, and more – during which he hinted at the upcoming Alpine move.<\/p>\n You can watch the full interview below.<\/p>\n Alex Dunne’s second season in Formula 2 gets underway in Melbourne on March 7th, with the first sprint race of the year.<\/p>\n SEE ALSO: Joe Brolly Lands First Senior GAA Club Management Role For 2026 Season<\/a><\/p>\n
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