Jun 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; McLaren driver Oscar Piastri (81) during the F1 Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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Alex Dunne to Take Part in Free Practice 1 for McLaren in Austria!

Know more about Alex Dunne joining the FP1 session this weekend.

Jun 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; McLaren driver Oscar Piastri (81) during the F1 Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Alex Dunne is going to join the Formula 1 grid during the first free practice session of the 2025 Austrian GP. McLaren are going to allow Dune to replace Norris during the first practice session of the upcoming weekend. This is in line with the F1 regulations which call for a rookie driver to take part in FP sessions over the year.

Alex Dunne is a part of the McLaren Driver Development Program since 2024. He is currently competing in the FIA Formula 2 championship with Rodin Motorsport. Dunne is also the reserve driver for NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. He will be followed by Pat O’ Ward. The Indycar veteran is going to drive the MCL39 during the FP1 session of the 2025 Mexico Grand Prix.

Who is Alex Dunne, First Irish Driver in F1 Weekend in 22 Years?

Alex Dunne is the current championship leader in the Formula 2 series for Rodin Motorsports. He has won two races and four podiums in the championship collecting 87 points in the span of 11 races. Alex Dunne joined the McLaren Driver Development program when he was racing for MP Motorsport in Formula 3.

Dunne won the F4 British championship in 2022 with Hitech Grand Prix. He hails from Offaly, Ireland and was born on 11 November 2005. Incidentally, he is also going to be the first driver to drive in a F1 weekend in 22 years from his country.

Alex Dunne to take part in FP1 in Austria! 🇦🇹

We can't wait to see you get behind the wheel of the MCL39 🤩🙌#McLaren
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) June 23, 2025

What Should McLaren Expect at the Austrian Grand Prix?

McLaren faced their worst weekend yet at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix. The team failed to score even one podium in the race. Oscar Piastri was their best finisher in P4. Meanwhile, Lando Norris crashed out of the race while battling Piastri during the last laps of the race.

McLaren is not going to prioritize either of the two yet according to their statements. However, the mistake caused by Norris is enough to raise alarm among the F1 experts. The Austrian Grand Prix is tricky race to master. The track limits of Red Bull Ring are a nightmare for every driver during the race and qualifying sessions. Norris needs to stay extra careful this weekend so that he can stop himself from repeating the same mistakes again.

Alex Dunne

Austrian Grand Prix

Formula 1

Formula 1 2025 Season

Lando Norris

McLaren F1

Rohan Singh

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I work as a Writer at The Playoffs specialising in NHL, Formula 1 and Motorsports. I got into online journalism a couple of years ago. I used to be an intern for a website managing their Formula 1 content and then I served an entire year as a contractual writer.