Alex dunne to replace Lando Norris for Austrian Grand Prix practice session

Dominika Jordan
Jun 23, 2025, 10:17 AM ET

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Alex Dunne to Drive McLaren MCL39 in Austrian GP Practice Session

In an exciting move for McLaren’s development pipeline, 19-year-old Alex Dunne will step into the cockpit of the MCL39 for the first practice session at the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix, temporarily replacing star driver Lando Norris.

Dunne, who currently competes in Formula 2 with Rodin Motorsport, joined McLaren’s Formula 1 Young Driver Programme earlier this year and also holds a role as a reserve driver for McLaren’s Formula E team. The Irish driver’s participation in Friday’s FP1 session comes as part of the FIA regulation requiring teams to field a young driver in at least two practice sessions per car during the F1 season.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to drive during FP1 in Austria,” Dunne said in a prepared statement. “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.”

McLaren’s Focus on Developing Young Talent

Dunne’s FP1 outing in Austria will be accompanied by further opportunities for younger drivers to showcase their talent within the McLaren stable. The team has additionally confirmed that reserve driver Pato O'Ward is set to step in for a practice session at October’s Mexican Grand Prix, with two more announcements about young driver appearances still to come.

McLaren’s Dominance in the 2024 Season

Heading into round 11 in Austria, McLaren is enjoying a dominant position in the 2024 season. The Woking-based team leads the constructors' championship standings by an impressive 175-point margin, while their drivers occupy the top two spots in the individual rankings. Lando Norris currently sits in second place in the championship, trailing his teammate Oscar Piastri by 22 points.

This FP1 session will serve as a valuable development opportunity for Dunne while maintaining McLaren’s focus on consolidating its performance at the Red Bull Ring. Racing fans and experts alike will be eager to see how the rising F2 talent fares in his first official F1 practice appearance.