Irish Teen Alex Dunne Ranks Fourth in F1 Austrian GP Practice

At the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix first practice session, 19-year-old Irish driver Alex Dunne made an impressive Formula One debut by setting the fourth-fastest time in Lando Norris's McLaren, just fractions behind top drivers like George Russell and Max Verstappen. Dunne, the current leader of the Formula 2 championship, became the first Irish driver to participate in an F1 grand prix weekend in 22 years, fulfilling a long-held dream and showcasing his rapid adaptation and skill on the track. McLaren, leading the constructors' championship, entrusted Dunne with Norris's car as part of the mandatory young driver program, and Dunne's performance highlighted his potential with times close to championship leader Oscar Piastri. Coming from a racing family, Dunne has steadily progressed through the junior ranks, with notable wins in Formula 2, and his parents have invested heavily in his career. The weekend is particularly busy for Dunne as he also competes in Formula 2 qualifying after the F1 practice, underscoring his commitment to advancing his motorsport career. Meanwhile, the Austrian Grand Prix weekend continues to be competitive, with teams like Mercedes and Red Bull pushing to close in on McLaren's current advantage.