In a move that’s sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock, McLaren Racing has announced the immediate termination of its contract with 19-year-old development driver Alex Dunn. The decision, made public on October 2, just before the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix, ends what many believed was a long-term investment in one of F1’s most promising young prospects.
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A Sudden and Surprising Split
McLaren confirmed Dunn’s departure in a brief statement, thanking him for his contributions and wishing him success in his future career. The team provided no reason for the abrupt decision, leaving fans and insiders speculating about what went wrong.
Dunn, who joined McLaren’s development program in May 2024, had been making steady progress across multiple series. He competed in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Rodin Motorsport while serving as a reserve and development driver for McLaren’s Formula E squad.
His dismissal is believed to be linked to internal disagreements regarding his promotion timeline to Formula 1 — an opportunity that seemed unlikely in McLaren’s current setup with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locked into long-term contracts.
A Strong Resume in a Short Time
Despite being just 19, Alex Dunn had built an impressive track record in under two years. He made his Formula 1 free practice debut at both the Austrian and Italian Grands Prix, where he piloted the McLaren MCL39.
At Spielberg, Dunn stunned the paddock by clocking the fourth-fastest lap — only 0.069 seconds behind Oscar Piastri — an extraordinary performance for a debutant. He quickly became a name to watch, earning praise from McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella, who lauded his composure and technical feedback.
Dunn’s humility and drive were evident after that weekend. “My goal was to help the team rather than chase performance, but to be that close to Oscar was special. I’m grateful to McLaren for trusting me,” he said at the time.
Dunn’s Response: “Excited About the Future”
In response to his contract termination, Dunn took to Instagram with a calm and optimistic message:
“As of today, I have decided to part ways with the McLaren development program. I’ll never forget the chance to experience Formula 1. Thank you to the Papaya family — I’m really excited about what the future holds.”
His dignified statement sparked support across the F1 community, with many believing he won’t be a free agent for long.
What Went Wrong at McLaren?
Behind the scenes, sources suggest that Dunn’s exit was the result of frustration over McLaren’s limited F1 seat availability. With both Norris and Piastri secured, there was no realistic timeline for Dunn’s promotion. McLaren’s focus on maintaining its current driver pairing left little room for junior program progression.
Adding to the intrigue, McLaren recently confirmed that Martinius Stenshorne, another rising talent, will race in F2 with Rodin Motorsport in 2026 — the same team Dunn represented this year. This overlap may have created internal redundancy in McLaren’s driver pipeline.
Is Red Bull His Next Destination?
The paddock rumor mill points toward Red Bull Racing as Dunn’s most likely next stop. The team’s junior program head, Helmut Marko, is known to have admired Dunn’s performances since his F4 days.
Red Bull’s driver ecosystem remains fluid, with Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, and Isack Hadjar all under evaluation for 2026 seats. Should Dunn join their ranks, it could reignite the development rivalry between Red Bull and McLaren — one that has produced world champions in the past.
Alpine is also a potential destination. The French outfit hasn’t confirmed Pierre Gasly’s teammate for 2026, leaving a seat open for a fast and adaptable young driver.
What Happens Next?
It remains uncertain whether Dunn will secure an immediate F1 opportunity or continue his path through F2 or Formula E before a 2027 debut. What’s clear is that his talent has made an impression across multiple teams — and his next move could shape the next generation of F1 competition.
For McLaren, the decision reflects a strategic tightening of its driver development structure, ensuring resources go toward drivers with immediate potential to reach F1 within its existing roster. For Dunn, it could be the start of a new chapter — one that might see him wearing Red Bull colors sooner than expected.
