Method 2 frontrunner Alex Dunne's shock exit from McLaren's junior programme paves the way in which for employment elsewhere on the Method 1 grid, however rumours of an imminent Purple Bull deal seem untimely at this stage.
Purple Bull's driver advisor Helmut Marko has been scouring the junior paddocks for the subsequent massive expertise, as he has completed for many years, and it's no secret Dunne has been one of many drivers the Austrian has had preliminary talks with.
Dunne has emerged as an fascinating prospect this yr after a taking part in a task within the F2 title battle by taking two poles, two wins and 7 podiums, though he has dropped from the result in fifth in current months.
His performances have landed him a brace of McLaren FP1 outings in Austria and Italy, with the group impressed by his suggestions and manner.
In the meantime, Marko and Purple Bull are weighing up what to do with their driver line-ups throughout Purple Bull Racing and Racing Bulls in 2026, with all indicators pointing to spectacular 2025 rookie Isack Hadjar becoming a member of Max Verstappen on the most important group.
That leaves three drivers preventing for the 2 remaining Racing Bulls seats; incumbent Liam Lawson, Purple Bull's under-pressure Yuki Tsunoda and the group's extremely rated reserve driver Arvid Lindblad, who has been ready behind the scenes for a doable 2026 debut, however has additionally been behind Dunne within the F2 pecking order.
Alexander Dunne, McLaren
Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Method 1 through Getty Photos
However Purple Bull's fleeting curiosity in Franco Colapinto late final season exhibits it's all the time eager to maintain its choices open and never dismiss exterior alternate options, even when the desire is to advertise from inside. Marko has additionally held talks with Dunne and his administration in current months forward of a last choice on the finish of October.
That makes the timing of Dunne's quick departure from McLaren on the eve of the Singapore Grand Prix notably intriguing, however Autosport understands the Irishman's exit will not be instantly linked to any breakthrough in his Purple Bull talks.
As an alternative, it's understood McLaren and Dunne have been in talks over his future and, with the Irishman's camp turning down the squad's newest supply, McLaren determined to finish the connection.
As McLaren's present title protagonists Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are signed as much as long-term contracts, it's clear McLaren wasn't ready to vow Dunne a transparent pathway to F1 promotion, very similar to his predecessor Gabriel Bortoleto was launched to Sauber forward of 2025.
The Purple Bull household seems one of many few lifelike choices Dunne has to hurry up his bid to land an F1 seat. Alpine is the primary different group that has a emptiness for 2026, however Autosport understands Dunne will not be on the Enstone group's radar.
Both method, Dunne's camp should clearly imagine it has higher choices elsewhere, however the Irishman donning Purple Bull colors is certainly not a foregone conclusion.
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