Red Bull F1 chief confirms talks over 'absolutely free' star driver

Helmut Marko, Red Bull, Britain, British GP, 2025 — Photo: © IMAGO

Formula 1

Red Bull chief confirms talks over 'absolutely free' star driver

Red Bull are looking at a driver from their rival team

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Saturday 11 October 2025 03:04

Red Bull chief Helmut Marko has admitted that his team is looking at a newly-free agent driver, recently released by McLaren.

Youngster Alex Dunne's departure from the team was announced ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, after the Irish teen spent two years in their driver development program.

Dunne, who currently competes in Formula 2, took part in two FP1 sessions for McLaren in Austria and Monza setting the fourth and 16th fastest times in these respective sessions.

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Alongside impressive work in F1 machinery, Dunne has also showcased his talent in F2 and has won twice in his rookie campaign thus far.

However, with McLaren content with their driver lineup of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, there is no room at the team to promote Dunne. Since his release, reports suggest Red Bull are interested in the young driver with Marko confirming contact with Dunne in a recent interview.

Could Dunne join the Red Bull family?

“And because he's absolutely free now, revoked by mutual agreement with McLaren, that's someone we will talk to for sure."

If Dunne were to earn a drive at Red Bull or their sister team Racing Bulls, it means one of their current drivers would have to leave the outfit altogether.

Following his podium heroics at the Dutch GP, Isack Hadjar has been tipped to race alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2026 which in turn would dispose current incumbent Yuki Tsunoda.

The Japanese racer currently languishes at P17 in the standings with 20 points, while team-mate Verstappen currently has 253 more points than Tsunoda.

There is still hope for Tsunoda if his performances improve in the remaining six rounds however, and the 25-year-old could be demoted back to Racing Bulls alongside Liam Lawson.

However, with two hungry F2 drivers in Dunne and Arvid Lindblad eager for their opportunity in F1, even a move to Racing Bulls remains uncertain for Tsunoda.

Formula 1