Dunne discusses McLaren's departure in light of the interest from Red Bull.

      Alex Dunne has addressed the rumors surrounding his surprising exit from McLaren’s driver development program last year, emphasizing that the choice was a strategic move toward his ultimate aim of competing in Formula 1. The Irish driver’s mid-season departure in October caught many off guard, especially after his impressive rookie Formula 2 season with Rodin Motorsport and two practice sessions for McLaren, where he notably debuted in FP1 in Austria.

      In an interview with Irish outlet Balls.ie, Dunne clarified that the decision was entirely his, despite assumptions of political issues or stalled negotiations. "I have a goal and a plan to become a Formula 1 driver," he stated. "Considering the options I had, the decision we made was necessary for my path to F1. It’s really that straightforward—it was my decision."

      Dunne acknowledged that the choice wasn’t entirely supported by his family. "When I discussed it with my dad, he wasn’t completely convinced," he noted. "He’s usually the one who is fully confident."

      Now 20 years old, Dunne's exit from McLaren has been associated with Red Bull, especially during a challenging phase for the energy drink company's F1 program. Speculation increased late last year following Dr. Helmut Marko's departure.

      Dunne emphasized that there was no rift with McLaren and expressed his gratitude to the team led by Zak Brown. He has since re-signed with Rodin Motorsport for the 2026 F2 season, maintaining his aspirations for F1. When asked if another driver academy announcement could be expected, he chose to keep his response ambiguous, saying, "We’ll have to wait and see," with a smile.