Alpine Formula One Team has confirmed that Alex Dunne has joined the Alpine Academy, adding the Irish driver to its young driver programme as he prepares for the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season.

The 20-year-old from Clonbullogue becomes a full member of Alpine’s development programme, which aims to guide promising talents towards professional careers in top-level motorsport and potentially Formula 1.

Dunne will continue competing in FIA Formula 2 with Rodin Motorsport this year. His car will feature Alpine branding as the championship begins its season in Australia, where Formula 2 races alongside Formula 1 during the opening round of the 2026 season.

Before joining Alpine, Dunne was part of McLaren’s junior driver programme and also gained his first experience with Formula 1 machinery last season when he took part in two Free Practice 1 sessions with the reigning world champions.

The Irish driver has built a strong reputation in junior categories. After starting his career in karting in Ireland, he moved onto the international stage and won the 2019 WSK Champions Cup in the OK-J category.

His success continued in single-seater racing. In 2022, Dunne claimed the British Formula 4 title with 11 race victories and also finished second in the Italian F4 Championship during the same season. The following year he finished runner-up in the GB3 Championship before stepping up to FIA Formula 3 in 2024.

Dunne made the move to FIA Formula 2 in 2025, where he impressed during his rookie campaign. He secured two race wins, two pole positions and eight podium finishes, eventually finishing fifth in the overall drivers’ standings.

Alpine sees Dunne as one of several promising drivers within its development structure. Alongside him, Gabriele Minì and Kush Maini will also represent the Alpine Academy in FIA Formula 2 this season as the team aims to have one of its young drivers fighting for the championship title.