Formula 1: Alex Dunne to replace McLaren's Lando Norris in Practice 1 at Austrian GP

New Delhi, June 23 (IANS) McLaren Formula 1 Team announced on Monday that their Driver Development Programme’s Alex Dunne will take part in Free Practice 1 at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, in place of Lando Norris.

The 19-year-old began karting at eight years old, securing his first European karting title in the 2019 WSK Champions Cup OKJ Category. He made his single-seater debut in the 2021 Spanish F4 Championship, securing Pole position and a podium on debut. In his 2022 season, he picked up a combined 16 race wins whilst competing in the British, UAE, and Italian Formula 4 Championships, earning him the British 4 Championship, before going on to earn the vice-champion title in the GB3 Championship the following year.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to drive during FP1 in Austria. I’m really looking forward to getting laps in behind the wheel of the MCL39 and supporting the team with the setup for the race weekend ahead.

“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. Thank you to Zak, Andrea, and Alessandro 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," said Alex.

Alex was announced as part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme in May 2024 whilst competing in the FIA Formula 3. He now races for Rodin Motorsport in FIA Formula 2 and serves as a Reserve and Development Driver for the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team.

Alex will get behind the wheel of the MCL39 as part of his development within the McLaren Racing pipeline, which has an overarching aim to help drivers progress towards Formula 1, IndyCar, and Formula 1, IndyCar, and the team’s upcoming World Endurance Championship entry.

Earlier in the year, McLaren announced that Pato O’Ward would take part in FP1 at the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix. The team will announce who will drive in the remaining two Free Practice sessions in due course, which will complete the team’s four young driver outings as mandated in the 2025 Sporting Regulations.

“It’s great to be able to allow Alex to run in Free Practice 1, and for him to get valuable time behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car as part of his development. 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," said Andrea Stella, McLaren Team Principal.

"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," she said.

--IANS

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