George Russell’s thinly-veiled hint suggesting Max Verstappen is in talks with Mercedes did enough to distract teams a little from their Austrian Grand Prix preparations. That nugget of information alone is enough to force conversations about a domino effect in the Formula 1 driver market, which would impact Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s future. Fortunately for McLaren, they already have their next driver in waiting in Alexander Dunne, should one of their championship contenders make a high-profile exit for 2026.
Verstappen’s future has been a constant topic for debate ever since Red Bull’s internal civil war began in February 2024, owing largely to allegations levelled at Christian Horner that were later dismissed and Jos Verstappen’s calls for him to resign. Such tension has since subsided, however, while Verstappen continues to profess his happiness to remain with the Milton Keynes outfit.
Behind the scenes, though discussions are continuing on all over the paddock about driver availability and teams must be prepared in the event of a Lewis Hamilton-esque shock announcement. Even McLaren’s dominance in the Constructors’ Championship and battle between Norris and Piastri for the Drivers’ crown may not be enough to protect them.
Alex Dunne: Next Lando Norris takes his chance
On the same weekend as Russell dropped his bombshell at the Red Bull Ring, Alex Dunne did his talking on the track – proving why he could be the team’s answer to finding their ‘next Lando Norris‘. The youngster doesn’t turn 20 until November, but already there is understandable excitement at just how high he can soar under their management.
There are certain parallels to draw between himself and Norris, who stepped into the car for his rookie season at the age of 19. On Friday, at the very same track where Norris secured his first front-row start in 2021, Dunne proved why he’s part of that conversation.
Drafted into the first free practice session for the Austrian GP to give Norris a breather, Dunne performed to a level that perhaps not even his team would have expected. FP1 is not usually the session where lap times are given importance due to fuel loads and differing tyre programmes, yet his effort – a 1:05.576 – was only two tenths off the pace-setter Russell.
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Crucially, he was only 0.066 seconds slower than Piastri and faster in both the first and final sectors. In his first taste of F1 action, it was quite an extraordinary marker to leave, leading pundits such as Sky Sports F1’s Anthony Davidson to remark that he was “impressed” with his performance.
Only Piastri can attest as to whether he was driving with all of his might and 100 per cent effort – one would assume that wasn’t the case given how drivers generally approach practice as a data-gathering mission. But nothing and no one can take that lap time away from the youngster from Offaly.
It’s not just McLaren who would’ve taken notice. Other teams further down the grid, evaluating their driver needs for the new regulations in 2026, would be foolish not to consider a teenager almost matching the championship leader Piastri in virtually the same car on his first outing.
Some drivers aren’t even lucky enough to get a chance to get behind the wheel of an F1 car in their careers, and recognising that, Dunne ensured he grabbed it with both hands. His name was on the lips of everyone in the paddock heading into FP2, even overshadowing Russell’s rapid lap around the Red Bull Ring.
Dunne already a winner
The Irish talent joined Rodin Motorsport for the 2025 FIA Formula 2 season after graduating from F3. He’s belonged to the McLaren Driver Development Programme since May 2024 and serves as their reserve/development driver in Formula E. The hype machine hadn’t quite kicked in for Dunne so far in his career, particularly after a blunder in the pits – rear-ending one of his rivals after locked up his front axle – earned him a tough punishment from the FIA stewards.
But he has made his mark in the junior categories and especially in F2. In April, Dunne made history as the first Irish driver to win an F2 Grand Prix, claiming victory in the feature race in Bahrain. Not only did he win, he finished eight seconds clear; a performance reminiscent of a certain Norris when he raced in the same category at 18.
A fine pole lap at Monaco and another victory at Imola only added more feathers to his cap and he currently leads the F2 championship standings. All of those are eye-catching achievements, but performing at a similar level to Norris and Piastri in the same machinery is another conversation altogether.
Dunne’s performance at least gives McLaren some options. The Papaya could find themselves in a vulnerable position to Red Bull if Verstappen leaves for Mercedes, given that Christian Horner hasn’t been exactly subtle in discussing his interest in both Norris and Piastri. So having a ready-made replacement who has already driven their car represents less of a risk now than it did before.
The more likely solution is loaning him to another team and easing him into the sport, similar to Russell’s three-year stint with Williams. That said, Mercedes trusted Kimi Antonelli to replace seven-time world champion Hamilton and are reaping the rewards of that bold gamble. Would McLaren take a calculated gamble on Dunne if Norris or Piastri decided to leave?
It’s a scenario Zak Brown and Andrea Stella wouldn’t fancy contemplating. Dunne’s memorable drive in the Styrian hills, though, makes it a little less painful to imagine if he can produce that level again in the future.
