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Alex Dunne to Make F1 Practice Debut with McLaren at Austrian GP
Formula 2 championship leader Alex Dunne will take Lando Norris' seat at McLaren for Friday's opening free practice session at the Austrian Grand Prix.
By Michael de Vries - 2025-06-23T12:17:46.000Z - 2 min read
Formula 2 championship leader Alex Dunne will make his Formula 1 free practice debut with McLaren at the Austrian Grand Prix. The Irish driver is set to take over Lando Norris' seat for Friday's opening FP1 session, marking a major milestone in his inaugural season in the principal F1 feeder category.
The Friday outing in Austria represents the latest step in a swift ascent through the single-seater pyramid for Dunne. Stepping directly into a race-weekend session for McLaren places the F2 points leader under the spotlight as he prepares to experience top-tier machinery for the first time during an official Grand Prix event.
Dunne's progression to an F1 practice drive follows an impressive start to his rookie Formula 2 campaign. Competing with Rodin Motorsport, he stepped up to the series this year after completing just a single season in Formula 3. Despite his relative lack of experience at this level, he quickly established himself at the head of the F2 standings.
That rapid transition to Formula 2 reflects a pattern established early in his career. Before his single year in F3 and subsequent leap to F2, Dunne earned widespread recognition by winning the 2022 British F4 championship, a title victory that launched his swift rise through the junior ranks.
Taking over Norris' car for the Friday session temporarily separates the regular McLaren driver from his seat, granting Dunne a rare opportunity to showcase his capabilities within a leading F1 team environment. The session will test how quickly the Irishman adapts to the performance demands of a Formula 1 car during a live race weekend.
For Rodin and the broader Formula 2 paddock, Dunne's call-up reflects the momentum he has generated throughout his debut year. Moving from F4 champion to F3 driver, F2 standings leader, and now F1 practice participant in short succession underscores the speed of his advancement across recent seasons.
With the Formula 2 championship lead already to his name, Dunne's upcoming appearance in Friday's FP1 session at the Austrian Grand Prix marks another key checkpoint in his professional development. His performance in Norris' seat will be watched closely as his first F2 season continues to gather pace.