McLaren ends Alex Dunne's Driver Development contract

McLaren Racing announced on Thursday that it has ended its contract with 19 year old Irish driver Alex Dunne, releasing him from the team’s Driver Development Programme with immediate effect. The move comes as Dunne, currently a rookie contender in the FIA Formula 2 championship, prepares for the final two rounds of the season and amid interest from other Formula 1 teams.

In a statement McLaren said, "McLaren Racing has ended its contract with McLaren Driver Development Programme member Alex Dunne. It has been a pleasure to work with Alex over the last year and to have been able to contribute to his success and growth as a driver through the McLaren Driver Development programme. Alex will be released with immediate effect. We wish Alex all the best for his career going forward."

Dunne joined McLaren’s junior programme in May last year and has driven for Rodin Motorsport in his debut F2 campaign. He won the season’s opening feature race in Bahrain and added a second victory at Imola, rising briefly to the top of the standings before slipping to fifth with two rounds remaining. He has shown strong pace in Formula 1 machinery this year, taking part in two Friday practice sessions...