Alex Dunne Steals the Spotlight at the Austrian GP Practice
What a moment for 19-year-old Alex Dunne. If you tuned into the first practice session of the Austrian Grand Prix, you probably heard his name pop up—and not just in passing. The young Irish driver, taking Lando Norris’ seat temporarily in the McLaren for FP1, made his presence known at the Red Bull Ring today, even if the session wasn't all smooth sailing.
Now let’s talk about the atmosphere and context first—this is the same Red Bull Ring that’s hosted years of high drama, and this year is no different. The return to a traditional weekend format (three practices, no sprint) has already stirred excitement. We saw a flurry of new upgrades across teams—McLaren, in particular, running fresh aero tweaks and suspension changes. And in the middle of all this? A teenager from Offaly bolting out with aero rakes and a mission.
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From the get-go, it was clear McLaren wasn’t giving Dunne an easy ride—they had him collecting crucial data with a rake-covered car while also adjusting to the elite environment of a Formula 1 session. Not only was he trying to prove himself, but he was also grappling with tech issues. At one point, he could be heard on the team radio saying, “I can hear three people on the radio at once.” That kind of communication chaos would rattle even a seasoned pro, but Dunne kept his cool. And while his lap time (1:08.520) placed him 20th in the session, let’s be honest—this was never about topping the sheets today. It was about experience, exposure, and evolution.
What makes Alex Dunne’s presence here truly compelling is the trajectory he’s been carving out in the junior categories. After dominating British F4 in 2022 and proving his mettle in Italian F4 and GB3, Dunne faced a learning curve in Formula 3. But McLaren saw the spark, signed him last year, and now we’re watching the payoff. In Formula 2 this season, he’s been on fire—two wins, a pole in Monaco, and the current championship lead as a rookie. He’s not just participating—he’s setting the tone.
Today’s run in FP1 might not seem headline-worthy to casual fans. But for those watching the sport closely, Alex Dunne’s appearance today felt like the start of something. This wasn’t just a McLaren junior logging laps—it was a future F1 driver logging a warning. He’s learning. He’s adapting. And if his current form in F2 continues, it won’t be long before we’re talking about him not as a stand-in, but as a full-time Formula 1 driver.
One thing’s for sure—Alex Dunne didn’t just test a car today. He tested the waters of Formula 1, and the paddock will absolutely be taking notes.
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