“I’d like to thank every individual at McLaren that has helped me develop and improve as a driver. To have my first opportunity to drive an F1 car followed by two FP1 sessions is something I’ll always hold very close to my heart, I wish them all the best for the future.”
Dunne’s departure raises questions not only about his future but also about the wider landscape of F1 junior academies, which recruit many drivers who never fulfil their dream of racing in F1.
A few, though, do make it through the gruelling and intensive process to reach the grid of a grand prix. Scroll down to see this year’s most promising Formula 2 candidates, each backed by a Formula 1 team, and just a step away from promotion.
Arvid Lindblad
Red Bull
Lindblad is one of the junior drivers with F1 experience
Grand Prix Photo
Lindblad is a rising star within the Red Bull junior team, having been recruited into the programme in 2021.
The 17-year-old British-Swedish driver made his single-seater racing debut in 2022 and rapidly progressed through various categories, including Italian Formula 4 and FIA Formula 3, where he finished fourth in 2024.
In 2025, Lindblad is competing in his debut Formula 2 season with Campos Racing, where he has already scored two wins.
His achievements so far earned him a superlicence ahead of the usual minimum age limit of 18, enabling him to take part in a British Grand Prix free practice session this year for Red Bull.
Red Bull special advisor Helmut Marko has been effusive about Lindblad’s talent, so it’s no surprise that the youngster is expected to make the move to F1 next year, replacing either Liam Lawson or Isack Hadjar at Red Bull sister team Racing Bulls.
Alex Dunne
Formerly at McLaren
Dunne has left McLaren, but is linked with Red Bull
Grand Prix Photo
Alex Dunne joined McLaren’s programme in May 2024 and quickly impressed as he transitioned from FIA Formula 3 to his debut Formula 2 season with Rodin Motorsport.
Despite misfortunes hampering an outright championship challenge, Dunne has secured two race wins and multiple podiums in his rookie F2 campaign.
Dunne now has Formula 1 experience, thanks to two free practice outings during the 2025 Austrian and Italian Grands Prix, where his pace and feedback were highly praised.
Since then, however, the Irishman has parted ways with McLaren, marking a significant turning point early in his career.
The split comes as McLaren’s F1 seats remain firmly occupied by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, limiting Dunne’s immediate promotion prospects within the team.
Speculation now swirls around his next move, with Red Bull and Alpine linked as potential landing spots for Dunne.
Luke Browning
Williams
Browning drove the Williams in Bahrain
Grand Prix Photo
Browning has been a key member of the Williams Racing Driver Academy since he joined in 2023.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed a steady rise up the motor sport ladder, having won the 2020 British F4 Championship and the 2022 GB3 Championship.
His 2024 season was highlighted by finishing third in FIA Formula 3, capped off by a win at the Macau Grand Prix.
He currently competes in the Formula 2 with Hitech TGR.
Browning has gained Formula 1 experience through his affiliation with Williams, making his F1 weekend debut in practice for the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and having another outing in the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, driving the FW47.
Victor Martins
Williams
Martins moves from Alpine to Williams
Grand Prix Photo
Martins is currently in his third Formula 2 season with ART Grand Prix, competing as part of the Williams Racing Driver Academy, which he joined in March 2025 after moving from the Alpine Academy.
The 23-year-old is a proven talent in the junior categories, having won the highly contested 2022 FIA Formula 3 Championship and the 2020 Formula Renault Eurocup title.
The Frenchman has two F2 victories to his name, but his progression in the series appears to have stalled: he finished fifth in his first season, seventh in 2024 and is currently 11th in 2025.
Martins made his grand prix weekend debut in practice for this year’s race in Spain, where he drove the Williams FW47 in FP1.
Dino Beganovic
Ferrari
Beganovic has been part of Ferrari’s academy for a while now
Grand Prix Photo
Swedish-Bosnian driver Beganovic is supported by the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy, which he joined in 2020.
Beganovic has an impressive junior career, having won the 2022 Formula Regional European Championship and twice finishing sixth in the FIA Formula 3 Championship (2023 and 2024) with Prema Racing.
He made his Formula 2 debut at the end of the 2024 season with DAMS, earning a podium at Yas Marina before stepping up to a full F2 campaign in 2025.
Beganovic’s development within Ferrari’s ecosystem accelerated with his first Formula 1 appearance during the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, where he drove for the Scuderia in FP1. He drove for Ferrari again in practice for the Austrian Grand Prix.
Pepe Martí
Red Bull
Marti is yet to make his F1 debut
Red Bull
Martí is one of Spain’s brightest young racing prospects and a part of Red Bull’s junior team.
After a successful karting career, he debuted in single-seaters in 2021 with Campos Racing in Spanish F4, quickly establishing himself as a frontrunner.
His rise continued with strong performances in Formula Regional Asia and, most notably, FIA Formula 3 in 2023, where he claimed three victories that earned him a spot in Red Bull’s programme.
In 2024, he graduated to Formula 2 with Campos, extending his long relationship with the Spanish squad.
Also managed by Fernando Alonso’s A14 Management, Martí is regarded as one of the Spaniards capable of following Alonso and Carlos Sainz into F1.
Kush Maini
Alpine
Maini is in his third F2 season
Alpine
Maini is part of the Alpine Academy and a key figure in India’s growing presence on the international motor sport scene.
After success in karting and early single-seater outings in Europe, Maini built experience in categories such as British F3, Formula Renault Eurocup and FIA Formula 3 before stepping up to Formula 2 in 2023.
Driving for Campos Racing, he quickly established himself as a consistent points finisher and showed flashes of podium-challenging pace.
His progress earned him the backing of Alpine, who brought him into their young driver programme in 2023.
In 2024 he switched to Invicta Racing in F2, before moving to DAMS for 2025. He has scored a win with each team.
Gabriele Mini
Alpine
Mini was runner-up in F3 in 2024
Alpine
Mini is one of Italy’s most highly rated young drivers and a current member of the Alpine Academy.
He first made his mark by winning the Italian Formula 4 Championship in 2020, before stepping up to the Formula Regional European Championship, where he finished runner-up in 2022.
Mini, 20, then progressed to FIA Formula 3 in 2023, impressing with his speed and consistency, and went on to fight for the title with Prema in 2024, ultimately finishing as championship runner-up.
That success earned him a full-time move to Formula 2 with Prema for the 2025 season, where he currently lies 13th.