Offaly's Alex Dunne to make history in F1 practice
Offaly's Alex Dunne is set to make history today when he takes to the track in a practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix later today.
McLaren confirmed on Monday that the 19-year-old will compete in the opening practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix, in place of Lando Norris.
The Offaly driver has attracted plenty of attention so far in Formula 2 and leads the standings with two victories to his name.
He has been part of McLaren's Driver Development Programme since last year.
Dunne has already had the opportunity to test drive an older McLaren F1 car, doing so at Zandvoort last month but today at the Red Bull Ring will mark his first opportunity to drive the MCL39 during a grand prix weekend.
Under the rules for 2025, Formula 1 teams are required to field young drivers in free practice twice during the year, increasing from one in previous seasons.
In today's hour-long FP1 session, which will start at 12.30pm Irish time, Dunne will sit in for McLaren driver Lando Norris, who is second in the Formula One drivers' standings behind team-mate Oscar Piastri after the duo collided in Canada in the last round.
Motorsport Ireland has described it as "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," it said.
"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."
Alex Dunne is the youngest driver to win the Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year award which he won in 2021.
He is also the youngest winner of the Manley Memorial Trophy for Irish International Driver of the Year which has won in 2022 and 2024.
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