McLaren announces the arrival of two new members to its Formula 1 Driver Development Program, Alex Dunne and Martinius Stenshorne.
Dunne claimed victory in the 2022 British Formula 4 Championship and secured second place in the Italian F4 category. He then became runner-up in the GB3 series. At just 18 years old, the Irishman now moves up to Formula 3 with MP Motorsport, currently sitting in 17th place in the Drivers’ Championship with two points from four races.
Expressing his excitement, Dunne said: “It is an honor to be part of the McLaren driver development program and I am looking forward to starting work with the team. McLaren provides the ideal environment for me to hone my skills as I continue my journey in motorsport. I am grateful for the support of Zak Brown, CEO, and Stephanie Carlin, F1 Business Operations Director, and I am eager to meet the rest of the team at the MTC.”
Likewise, Stenshorne, also 18 years old, is embarking on his debut season in the third-tier championship. He secured a victory in the sprint race at the Australian Grand Prix. The Norwegian driver achieved two podiums in the 2022 Italian Formula 4 Championship and finished second in the European Regional Formula Championship, winning five races last season.
Expressing his excitement, Stenshorne said: “I am incredibly thrilled to be part of the McLaren driver development program. It is an honor to now be part of the McLaren family. The team has a remarkable history of nurturing talent, and I am excited to grow alongside the team and learn from their expertise as I continue my journey towards the top of motorsport. I would like to express my gratitude to Zak, Stephanie, and the entire team for believing in me. I can’t wait to get started.”
Dunne and Stenshorne are the newest additions to McLaren’s junior ranks, joining names such as Pato O’Ward, Ryo Hirawaka, Ugo Ugochukwu, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Bianca Bustamante.