Alex Dunne makes stunning debut in free practice at F1 Austrian Grand Prix as Offaly driver reveals 'a little
Irish racer Alex Dunne further enhanced his credentials as one to watch with a stunning debut display in Free Practice 1 at the F1 Austrian Grand Prix.
Dunne, who currently heads the F2 Championship standings for Rodin Motorsport, was sitting in for regular McLaren driver Lando Norris, as part of the F1 rookie programme that sees teams required to give young drivers an opportunity in four Friday practice sessions per year.
And the Offaly man made his mark by finishing fourth fastest, only 0.159 of a second behind Mercedes driver George Russell who topped the standings.
But what made Dunne's maiden drive on an F1 weekend even more impressive was the fact that he finished a bare 0.069s off Championship leader Oscar Piastri in the sister McLaren, and was 0.333s quicker than seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.
Dunne was also 0.159s off the pace of Red Bull’s defending champion Max Verstappen who finished FP1 in second place.
“I want to say a massive thank you,” Dunne said over the team radio following the session.
“A little boy’s dream came true, and this is definitely the best day of my life.
“Thank you everyone for letting me do this, and thanks to Lando as well for trusting me with his car.”
The 19-year-old became to first Irish driver to compete in a Grand Prix weekend since English-born Ralph Firman, who raced for Jordan under an Irish driving licence by dint of his Kildare native mother, in 2003.
“Alex has been quite diligent and impressive. And then he also had the chance to show some speed and, no surprise, he is a fast driver,” McLaren team principal Andrea Stella told Sky Sports F1 afterwards.
“I think we need to be a bit careful looking at the lap times, because his came later on in the stint when the fuel was down.
“But I think encouraging and impressive in terms of Alex himself, and also I think a good session for McLaren.”
Another F2 driver was behind the wheel during the session as Ferrari handed Charles Leclerc's car to Sweden's Dino Beganovic, who placed 18th.
Dunne must now quickly shift his focus to F2 qualifying, set to take place later today, as he looks to strengthen his grip on the points lead in the FIA’s second-tier championship this weekend.
