Formula 2 title challenger Alex Dunne has completed an IndyCar test at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama. The 20-year-old Irish driver, who is an Alpine junior, tested for Dale Coyne Racing on Monday as he weighs up potential racing opportunities in the United States for 2027.
Title Fight and Testing Performance
Dunne is currently involved in a three-way battle for the Formula 2 championship, sitting 18 points behind series leader Rafael Camara with upcoming rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Having secured one win and nine podium finishes in his second F2 season, Dunne is required to move on from the series next year if he captures the championship. While a third season in F2 has also been discussed, limited Formula 1 seats for 2027 have prompted the young driver to explore alternative open-wheel pathways.
During Monday’s test session in Alabama, Dunne shared the track with American teenager Nikita Johnson and posted the fastest time during the morning session, which included experienced American driver Conor Daly. Reflecting on his experience with RACER, Dunne stated, “The car, the track, everything. I loved it all.” He added that the car offered significantly more power and downforce than he was accustomed to, noting that he felt comfortable quickly and thoroughly enjoyed the morning session.
Exploring American Racing Opportunities
IndyCar serves as the premier open-wheel racing championship in the United States, featuring prominent events such as the Indianapolis 500. The series has previously attracted former Formula 1 drivers including Mick Schumacher, Marcus Ericsson, and Romain Grosjean, alongside British competitors like Louis Foster, Katherine Legge, and Jack Harvey. The 2027 IndyCar calendar will also feature a round in Barcelona alongside its traditional circuits, street courses, and ovals across North America.
Speaking to RACER, Dunne explained that his ultimate ambition remains reaching Formula 1, but acknowledged that alternative paths must be considered if that opportunity becomes less achievable. “I’ve always said that the next best option for me and the thing I’d love to do most has always been IndyCar,” he said, adding that he liked what he had experienced during his initial test.
The last driver from the island of Ireland to compete in IndyCar was Adam Carroll from Portadown, who participated in two races in 2010.
