Dunne impresses in F1 practice debut
Photo: McLaren Formula 1
19-year-old Offaly native Alex Dunne became the first Irish driver in 22 years to take part in a Formula 1 weekend session. The 2021 Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year was deputising for last year's championship runner up, Lando Norris for Free Practice 1 at Austria's Red Bull Ring circuit as part of this weekend's F1 race.
F1 teams are required to run their development drivers twice each year, and McLaren took this opportunity to allow Dunne to showcase himself against the best in the world.
Dunne impressed immediately, putting up the fourth fastest time of the session, finishing just 0.069 of a second behind the other McLaren driver and current World Championship leader, Oscar Piastri. The McLaren Racing team, for which Dunne is part of their Development Driver programme, appears to be the team to beat in 2025, with their drivers first and second overall in the F1 Championship Standings.
Dunne is currently also leading the Formula 2 Championship with a McLaren-branded car fielded by Rodin Motorsport. Shortly before hopping in a car for the first time, Dunne also set the fastest time in the F2 practice session on the same circuit.
Dunne was the youngest driver to win the Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year award when he won it in 2021. He is also the youngest winners of the Manley Memorial Trophy for Irish International Driver of the Year which has won in 2022 and 2024.
In the garage before the session began, Dunne was emotional, hugging his father, Noel, a key supporter in young Alex's career right through until now. After that, the on-track results spoke for themselves.
Motorsport Ireland Sporting Manager Art McCarrick:
“This is a very proud moment, for not only Alex and his family, but everyone involved in Irish motorsport. The fact that Alex is getting this opportunity despite being only 19 years of age, speaks volumes about his talent and how he his viewed by McLaren. He is within touching distance of the pinnacle of the sport and no doubt this free practice session will spur Alex on to even greater heights in Formula 2, where he currently leads the Championship.”
In the paddock after the session, Dunne had this to say:
"I don't even know where to start. Super, super happy. I think it's safe to say it went pretty well. You know, I think we knew we going through the session that the goal wasn't necessarily for performance, it was more to help out with the car, help Lando, and kind of just help the team improve as much as they can for FP2, FP3 and then onwards into the weekend. So to have the pace that I had and, you know, show what I'm capable of on the F1 stage is something pretty special. So massive thank you to McLaren and everyone for the opportunity and I'm extremely grateful."
Dunne continues his weekend in F2 with qualifying and two races still to play out. Regardless of what results await, it's a weekend that Dunne, and Irish motorsport, will never forget.