F2 standings leader Alex Dunne to drive for McLaren during FP1 in Austria

McLaren have confirmed that Formulation 2 standings chief Alex Dunne will participate in Free Observe 1 on the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix.

Dunne, a member of the McLaren Driver Improvement Programme since Might 2024, will get behind the wheel of the MCL39 within the weekend’s opening session instead of Lando Norris to change into the primary Irish driver to participate in an F1 weekend for 22 years.

The 19-year-old at the moment races for Rodin Motorsport in F2, as he sits three factors forward of second-placed Richard Verschoor within the standings, whereas he additionally serves as Reserve and Improvement Driver for the NEOM McLaren Formulation E Group.

Dunne started karting at eight years previous, and secured his first European karting title within the 2019 WSK Champions Cup OKJ Class. He then made his single-seater debut within the 2021 Spanish F4 Championship, securing pole place and a podium on his debut.

In his 2022 season, he picked up a mixed 16 race wins while competing within the British, UAE, and Italian Formulation 4 Championships, incomes him the British F4 Championship, earlier than occurring to earn the vice-champion title within the GB3 Championship the next 12 months.

Dunne then moved on to Formula 3 for 2024 with MP Motorsport, the place he completed 14th within the Drivers’ Standings, earlier than stepping as much as F2 this season.

The final Irish driver to take part in a Grand Prix weekend was Ralph Firman in 2003, who competed for Jordan Grand Prix that 12 months.

“It’s a tremendous alternative to have the ability to drive throughout FP1 in Austria,” stated Dunne. “I’m actually trying ahead to getting laps in behind the wheel of the MCL39 and supporting the group with the setup for the race weekend forward.

“I’ve been making ready nicely for the classes, participating in Testing of Earlier Vehicles assessments within the MCL60 and spending time on the simulator, which has been a implausible studying expertise. Thanks to Zak [Brown], Andrea [Stella] and Alessandro [Alunni Bravi] for his or her religion in me. It’s an important step inside my growth with the McLaren Driver Improvement Programme, and I’m actually excited to hitch the group trackside.”

McLaren Group Principal, Andrea Stella, stated: “It’s nice to have the ability to give Alex the chance to run in Free Observe 1, and for him to get helpful time behind the wheel of a Formulation 1 automobile as a part of his growth.

“The group are happy to be working with him extra carefully, and for his assist throughout the weekend, the place he shall be offering helpful suggestions to assist with the automobile’s set-up. The rookie classes are implausible for seeing the expertise of tomorrow and enabling that uncommon probability to get time in a present automobile, so we stay up for seeing him on monitor.”