Former F1 driver Derek Daly claims McLaren made a \u201chuge mistake\u201d parting ways with Alex Dunne amidst rumours Red Bull could pick up the Irishman for its Racing Bulls team.<\/p>\n
McLaren and Dunne announced their shock split earlier this month, the Formula 2 driver leaving McLaren\u2019s junior programme with immediate effect.<\/p>\n
Has McLaren made a \u2018huge mistake\u2019 with Alex Dunne?<\/p>\n
Additional reporting by Thomas Maher<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom today, I\u2019ve mutually decided to part ways with the McLaren Driver Development programme,\u201d Dunne said in a post on social media<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to thank every individual at McLaren who has helped me develop and improve as a driver. To have my first opportunity to drive an F1 car, followed by two FP1 sessions, is something I\u2019ll always hold very close to my heart.<\/p>\n \u201cI wish them all the best for the future. Thank you, Papaya family.\u201d<\/p>\n Dunne drove the MCL39 in FP1 in Austria and Italy and was in line for further FP1 outings and a post-season rookie test with McLaren<\/a>, but PlanetF1.com understands that a disagreement over the best path forward led to some tensions setting in.<\/p>\n The 19-year-old is already being linked to Red Bull and has met with motorsport director Helmut Marko<\/a> at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Those talks, though, were more introductory than discussions about the future.<\/p>\n Daly reckons McLaren has made a big mistake letting the Irish driver go.<\/p>\n More on Alex Dunne in F1<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\u00a0How Alex Dunne has found an \u2018extra level\u2019 as McLaren junior eyes F1<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49The hidden quality Alex Dunne showed McLaren in \u2018impressive\u2019 debut run<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAlex Dunne, I know, has the utmost confidence and faith in his own driving abilities,\u201d Daly told RN365.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s prepared to jump in if a seat is presented to him.<\/p>\n \u201cRed Bull has to be cognizant of the fact of \u2018look, let\u2019s make sure we don\u2019t make another mistake and throw drivers in and out.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cThe great thing is that Red Bull recognises there\u2019s a fast, aggressive Red Bull-type of driver.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s now become available on the market, which I think was a huge mistake by McLaren.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Red Bull is going to try and grab him to give him a chance to develop into what he can be.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the best scenario for Alex. But I can\u2019t believe that McLaren dropped the ball and let him go.<\/p>\n \u201cSomebody, someday, will have to answer that question, because it absolutely makes no sense.\u201d<\/p>\n Twenty-four hours after McLaren\u2019s announcement, Marko was quizzed on Dunne potentially having a future within the Red Bull organisation and praised the Formula 2 race winner as being \u201cvery much like\u201d a Red Bull driver<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re in discussions now that he\u2019s free,\u201d Marko told Sky Deutschland.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s very aggressive, quick, and has strong car control. He\u2019s still making plenty of mistakes at the moment \u2013 but he\u2019s very much like a Red Bull driver.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s understood that, at present, no deal has been signed between Dunne and Red Bull, nor has an agreement reached.<\/p>\n However, in order to race in Formula 1, Dunne has to secure the necessary super licence points and requires a third-place finish in this year\u2019s Formula 2 championship.<\/p>\n At present, he\u2019s fifth on 130 points, 31 down on P3 with two rounds remaining.<\/p>\n