McLaren junior driver Alex Dunne will make his debut in the first practice session of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, stepping in for Lando Norris. This opportunity allows the Formula 2 championship leader to experience driving the McLaren MCL39 alongside his ongoing F2 campaign.
The 19-year-old from Offaly, Republic of Ireland, will become the first Irish driver to compete in an F1 Grand Prix weekend since Derek Daly and Tommy Byrne raced in the 1982 Caesar’s Palace Grand Prix in Las Vegas. Dunne’s appearance coincides with F1 regulations requiring teams to run a junior driver with minimal Grand Prix experience in at least four FP1 sessions during the season.
Experience Gained Through Recent Testing Sessions
Leading into this weekend’s event, Dunne participated in Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) outings, driving the 2023 McLaren MCL60 at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas. He also took part in a similar test at Zandvoort last month, marking his first time behind a Formula 1 wheel. These sessions have been key to his development and preparation for taking on the FP1 duties.
Signed to McLaren’s Driver Development Programme last year, Dunne has impressed in his rookie Formula 2 season by securing two feature race wins and holding the championship lead as the series reaches its midpoint. The McLaren programme aims to cultivate talent capable of competing across various top-tier racing platforms including F1, IndyCar, Formula E, and the World Endurance Championship.
Reflections from Dunne on Stepping Up to F1
Expressing his enthusiasm, Dunne shared,
“It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to drive during FP1 in Austria,”
adding how he looks forward to contributing to the team’s setup for the weekend. He emphasized the value of his preparation through simulator work and past TPC runs, describing them as a significant learning experience.
He further acknowledged the support behind his advancement:
“Thank you to Zak, Andrea, and Alessandro for their faith in me. It’s a great step within my development with the McLaren Driver Development Programme, and I’m really excited to join the team trackside.”
Looking Ahead: McLaren’s FP1 Junior Driver Lineup
IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward has also been confirmed to take part in an FP1 session at the Mexico City Grand Prix later this year, meaning two remaining FP1 junior driver slots are yet to be assigned. Both Dunne and O’Ward are top candidates for these appearances, signaling McLaren’s ongoing commitment to nurturing emerging talent in competitive racing environments.
Dunne’s FP1 debut represents not only a personal milestone but also highlights McLaren’s focus on developing young drivers who show promise across motorsport disciplines. His performance this weekend will likely influence future opportunities as the season progresses.