Alex Dunne Set for F1 Debut in FP1 at Austrian Grand Prix
Austrian Grand Prix, 2023—Alex Dunne, the current leader of the Formula 2 championship, will step into the spotlight with his Formula 1 free practice debut at the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix, taking over Lando Norris’ seat for the Friday FP1 session. This marks a significant milestone in Dunne’s rapid ascent through the motorsports ranks.
Having secured two feature race victories in his inaugural F2 season with Rodin Motorsport, Dunne currently leads the championship standings, trailing series veteran Richard Verschoor by just three points. Despite a setback during this year’s Monaco feature race, where he was involved in a collision, Dunne demonstrated resilience by winning in Barcelona, reclaiming the championship lead.
Dunne’s journey began with a commendable run in the British F4 championship, which he won in 2022, and was followed by a competitive season in Italian F4. His progression continued as he finished as a runner-up in the GB3 Championship in 2023. This year, he joined McLaren’s driver development program, where he also serves as a reserve for the Formula E project.
“I’ve been preparing well for the sessions, taking part in testing and spending time on the simulator, which has been a fantastic learning experience,” he stated, expressing gratitude to McLaren team principals Zak Brown, Andrea Stella, and Alessandro Alunni Bravi for their support.
Andrea Stella commented on Dunne’s opportunity, emphasizing the value of in-car experience for the young driver: “It’s great to give Alex the chance to run in FP1, and he will provide useful feedback for the car’s setup throughout the weekend.”
In a parallel development, Ferrari junior Dino Beganovic will join the FP1 lineup, substituting for Charles Leclerc. This marks Beganovic’s second appearance in the hot seat, having previously taken over in Bahrain where he finished 14th.
As both Dunne and Beganovic prepare for their F1 debuts, the session promises to reveal the next wave of motorsport talent.
