Alex Dunne, an Irish teenager, has appeared in his Formula 1 practice debut in Mclaren’s Grand Prix.
Dunne replaced Lando Norris on Friday’s first practice, choosing to suppress one of the four essential sessions that a rookie should participate in.
The 19 -year -old boy made the most of the opportunity and ranked fourth in the same machine, less than a tenth of the championship leader Oscar Pisatri.
In general, the rookie driver is far from the speed and the session near the back is finished, so Dunne’s performance is eye -catching.
At the end of the session, Dunn would like to express his gratitude on the radio on the radio.
“Thank you all for doing this. Thanks to Lando, thank you for believing me with his car. It has a lot of meaning.”
Use a Chrome browser for more accessible video players.
Mclaren Reserve Driver Dunne became buoyancy after finishing fourth in the opening practice in Austria.
Who is Alex Dunne?
Born in OFFALY on November 11, 2005, Dunne quickly rose to Karting Ranks and got a chance to drive in Formula 4 when he was 15 years old. It is the minimum age to drive at that level.
He dominated the British F4 season in 2022 after taking the position and podium in the single sitter debut at the F4.
Dunne took second place in the GB3 Championship in 2023 after winning KIMI Antonelli’s runner -up at the Italian F4 in the same year. Although he struggled to shine on the F3, Mclaren signed him in May 2024, and Dunne developed F2 with Rodin Motorsport this year.
He was not expected to be the title challenger, but he led the ranks in Austria ahead of the race this weekend after winning the race, which plays two impressive roles in Bahrain and Imela and two other podiums.
But he was considered discouraged by Monaco’s feature race with Victor Martin, causing a pile. Dunne was very criticized for social media and deleted the app from the phone.
“I’ve got a lot of things after Monaco. In general, I’m not angry and angry.”
“But one hour after the race, I deleted social media from the phone because I didn’t get such a bad message in my life. Many things I got really bad and angry and honestly.”
Dunne returned from the 19th to second place in the Spanish F2 sprint, returning from the Grid penalty of the Monaco case, and was fifth place to maintain the championship lead from Austria to the seventh round this weekend.
Dunne is ‘very pleased’ with F1 outing
MCLAREN ran Dunne as a hard tire for the majority of the first practice in Austria.
Dunne, who is scheduled to return from F2 Sprint at 1:10 pm on Saturday, said, “This was not a bad rap. It was not a new soft tire, so it has a lot of positive.” Sky Sports F1.
“Of course, if you enter the car again, it will get faster faster. I put what I learned in the session to collect the rap well and maximize what I learned in the session. The team was much easier to prepare for this.
“After all, regardless of performance and speed, I am more pleased that it is a clean session. I had no accidents, and I did not get someone’s path.
“Everything you need to test at the beginning was all smoothly and planned. I was very happy on that side.”
Norris was impressed by Dunne
Norris sat on the pit and saw his car drove in his first practice, but his track time loss did not affect Dunne’s softness.
The British driver actually quickly increased to 0.157 seconds in Piastri and eventually admitted to Dunne about the feedback he provided.
Norris said, “The car feels good on off.” “Alex gave a good feedback this morning since FP1, and he was in progress, so it was good to see.”
Use a Chrome browser for more accessible video players.
Lando Norris completely praised Dunne, an Irish rookie with useful feedback for P1.
Andrea Stella team principal explained that Dunne tested MCLAREN’s Austrian upgrade and completed some rake work as planned.
Stella said, “In all of this, Alex was quite diligent and impressive, and then he had a chance to show speed and surprisingly fast driver,” said Stella.
“I think we have to be a little careful while watching Rap Time, because he came out later when the fuel broke down.
“But I think it’s encouraged and impressive from Alex’s own point of view, and I think it’s a good session for MCLAREN.”
Chandehawk: McLaren must deal with Cadillac
Both Noris and PiaStri have signed a contract in 2026, so there is no space for Dunne in MCLAREN.
But he can be encouraged in the path of Ferrari Academy Oliver Bearman, who has been impressed by the practical session of Haas and stands in Ferrari and occupies the former.
There’s nothing certain in the F1, but when you see the changes of the seats witnessed at the opening stage of this season, the most obvious opportunity for Dunne is with Cadillac, the 11th team of sports that joined the 2026 grid.
Use a Chrome browser for more accessible video players.
Highlight of Friday Practice Session in Austria Grand Prix
Sky Sports F1 Karun CHandhok believes that Mclaren should find a way to loan Dunne.
“If I’m McLaren now, I will try to make him farming with Cadillac or someone like that.”
“Based on everything he showed. He is the leader of the F2 championship. They saw potential in the test. We are seeing it openly today.
“You want to find a place where you can gain a race experience. I’m trying to deal with him elsewhere for a certain period of time.
“Take him as a farming and take Mercedes in the past with George Russell.
SKY SPORTS F1’s Austrian GP Schedule
Use a Chrome browser for more accessible video players.
Look back at the most dramatic moments in the Austrian Grand Prix.
Saturday, June 28
9 am: F3 sprint
11:15 pm: Austrian GP practice 3 (Session starts at 11:30 am)
1:10 pm: F2 sprint
2:15 pm: Austrian GP Eligible Build Up*
3pm: Austrian GP qualifiers*
5pm: TED’s qualification notebook
Sunday, June 29
7:25 am: F3 function race
8:55 am: F2 function race
10:40 am: Porsche Super Cup
12:30 pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Austrian GP Build Up*
2pm: Austria Grand Prix*
4 pm: Check pattern flag: Austrian GP reaction*
5pm: TED’s notebook
*Also at the SKY SPORTS main event
The next season of 2025 Formula 1 is returning to Europe of Live in Austria Grand Prix this weekend. Streaming SKY SPORTS and now canceled at any time.