Alex Dunne Shines in F2 Title Chase and F1 Debut with McLaren
Offaly, Ireland – At just 19 years old, Alex Dunne is making significant strides in motorsport, transitioning from a challenging Formula 3 season to competing for the Formula 2 title while also debuting in a Formula 1 grand prix weekend with McLaren. A year ago, Dunne was a relatively unknown talent, but his trajectory has quickly ascended after joining McLaren’s young driver program.
Dunne, the 2022 British F4 champion, addressed his swift progression: "Things have happened pretty quickly, especially with how it turned around from last year…. I’m very, very happy with the opportunities that McLaren have given me."
Despite a tumultuous F2 campaign including a setback in Monaco—where he triggered an 11-car pile-up that cost him the championship lead and subjected him to significant online criticism—Dunne demonstrated resilience. He reclaimed the points lead in Barcelona and succeeded in his F1 practice debut, setting the fourth-fastest time in initial practice in Austria, efficiently completing the run plan before handing the MCL39 back to Lando Norris.
Reflecting on the ups and downs of racing, Dunne noted, "In motorsport, you can be on a high for so long… If you make one small mistake, everyone complains. You just have to ignore it," acknowledging the challenges of social media scrutiny.
Dunne’s preparation included extensive private testing and simulator work, laying a solid foundation for his transition to F1. Team principal Andrea Stella praised his performance as "nothing short of impressive." Dunne recalled the experience of being on track for the first time with a palpable excitement: "It was very special to see all the stands full of fans… I will remember that forever."
The young driver expressed confidence transitioning to F1: "The step up is definitely much easier than it was to step back down… It feels like the car has unlimited capabilities." While he was not on new soft tires during his qualifying run, his performance still impressed. "A lot of that comes from how well McLaren have prepared me," he explained.
Although Dunne is currently McLaren’s reserve driver in Formula E, the path to a full-time F1 seat remains unclear with Norris and Oscar Piastri secured on long-term contracts. As he focused on regaining his F2 title aspirations—having fallen behind Richard Verschoor after a technical disqualification in Austria—Dunne stated, "If I continue to do a good job, hopefully, the opportunity in F1 will come."
The F2 championship remains Dunne’s priority as he aims for success in the junior series. "For me, the goal is Formula 1. I need to ensure that I continue my form and hopefully win the championship," he affirmed.
