Young racing sensation, Alex Dunne, is set to shake up the Formula 1 scene as he gears up for his practice debut with McLaren at the Austrian Grand Prix. The Formula 2 championship leader will be stepping into Lando Norris’ seat for Friday’s FP1 session, marking a significant milestone in his racing career.
Hailing from Ireland, Dunne has been making waves in the motorsport world, with a rapid rise through the junior series ranks. From clinching the British F4 championship to impressing in the GB3 Championship, Dunne’s talent is undeniable. His journey to the top includes a stint with McLaren’s young driver scheme, where he also holds the role of reserve driver for the team’s Formula E project.
Despite a minor setback at the Monaco feature race, where he was involved in a pile-up, Dunne quickly bounced back to reclaim his position at the top of the F2 series standings. With two feature race wins under his belt, he currently leads the championship ahead of seasoned F2 driver Richard Verschoor.
Expressing his excitement for the upcoming opportunity, Dunne shared, “I’ve been preparing well for the sessions, taking part in Testing of Previous Cars tests in the MCL60 and spending time on the simulator, which has been a fantastic learning experience.”
Joining Dunne in the FP1 proceedings is his F2 rival and Ferrari junior, Dino Beganovic. The Swedish driver will be taking Charles Leclerc’s seat for the session, as part of the updated FP1 regulations for 2025, which require each race driver to sit out two rounds.
McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, praised Dunne’s talent and highlighted the importance of giving young drivers like him the opportunity to showcase their skills on the big stage. With the stage set for a thrilling debut, all eyes will be on Dunne and Beganovic as they rev up their engines in Austria.
