Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has said that Alex Dunne is the sort of driver the Formula 1 giants likes, as the Irishman is reportedly near a move to the Milton Keynes-based squad.
Dunne parted ways with McLaren on Thursday, leaving its Driver Development Programme with immediate effect, with two weekends of the Formula 2 championship left to run.
The highly-rated 19-year-old had completed two FP1 sessions for the papaya outfit earlier in the year, and was rapidly becoming one of its most prized unearthed gems.
But a common criticism of Dunne has been his propensity to be involved in a number of incidents across the season, most notably the first-corner pile-up at Monaco.
However, Dunne’s no-holds-barred driving style and his rapidity behind the wheel has evidently caught the eye of the hierarchy at Milton Keynes.
“He’s a very aggressive driver, he has fantastic car control, and he’s fast. So that’s what Red Bull likes, and of course we will have discussions with him [now he’s free],” Marko told Motorsport.com.
Rumours have already pointed towards Dunne having held talks with Red Bull, with reports suggesting he will continue in F2 next year upon potentially signing with the team.
His F2 sparring partner and current Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad is hotly-tipped to become an F1 driver next year with its junior squad Racing Bulls, which could see Dunne placed on its junior ladder.
Lindblad, despite having recently turned 18, has already obtained an FIA Super Licence, having been given special dispensation to do so when still only 17-years-old.
Marko acknowledged that Dunne has a way to go before he could gain his, but indicated he will be keeping a look out for what he can he muster between now and Abu Dhabi.
“He doesn’t have a super license, so let’s see,” he said. “There are two more races in F2. Let’s see what he can achieve.”
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