Alex Dunne handed FP1 outing with McLaren in Austria

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McLaren junior driver and current Formula 2 championship leader Alex Dunne will take a major step in his motorsport journey next weekend when he makes his official Formula 1 debut during Friday’s first free practice at the Austrian Grand Prix.

The 18-year-old Irishman will take over Lando Norris’ McLaren for the session at the Red Bull Ring, as part of the team’s rookie driver allocation for the 2025 season.

Dunne’s FP1 debut comes on the back of a rapid ascent through the junior ranks and a breakout campaign in his first full F2 season with Rodin Motorsport, where he currently leads the standings.

Preparation Meets Opportunity

Dunne, who has been a member of the McLaren Driver Development Programme since 2024, has spent time integrating into the team and driving the MCL60 as part of McLaren’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme.

“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,” said Dunne.

“Thank you to Zak [Brown], Andrea [Stella] and Alessandro [Alunni Bravi] 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.”

Stella: "A rare chance in a current car"

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella welcomed the move, calling it an important moment in Dunne’s growth as a driver.

“It’s great to be able to give Alex the opportunity to run in FP1, and for him to get valuable time behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car as part of his development,” Stella said.

“The team are pleased to be working with him more closely, and for his support across the weekend, where he will be providing useful feedback to help with the car’s set-up.

“The rookie sessions are fantastic for seeing the talent of tomorrow and enabling that rare chance to get time in a current car, so we look forward to seeing him on track.”

Read also:

Stella: Piastri’s title charge fueled by ‘holistic’ growth

Dunne’s outing will not be the only rookie appearance in Austria, as fellow F2 front-runner and Ferrari junior Dino Beganovic will also feature in FP1, stepping into Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari for the second time this season, following a previous outing in Bahrain.

Under new 2025 regulations, all full-time drivers must now relinquish their seats in two FP1 sessions during the year to give rookies valuable race weekend experience.

With his F1 debut now locked in, Dunne’s name joins a growing list of rising stars getting a taste of the top tier—one he’ll be determined to join on a full-time basis in the near future.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.