Latest news with #FreePractice1
Irish Independent
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Irish motor-racing star and F2 leader Alex Dunne to drive McLaren's Formula 1 car during Austrian Grand Prix weekend
The 19-year-old from Offaly currently tops the Formula 2 championship standings, having claimed two victories so far this season, backing up his maiden victory in Bahrain with a repeat at Imola. Dunne joined McLaren's driver development programme in May last year while competing in the FIA Formula 3 championship, and is racing in the second tier championship for Rodin Motorsport. He also holds the role of Reserve and Development Driver for the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. He will take over Lando Norris's seat for Free Practice 1 (FP1), as teams are required to give rookie drivers at least two practice outings per car during the 2025 season, with Ferrari also announcing that their junior driver Dino Beganovic will replace Charles Leclerc for FP1 at the Red Bull Ring. 'It's an amazing opportunity to be able to drive during FP1 in Austria,' Dunne said after the news was confirmed on Monday. 'I'm really looking forward to getting laps in behind the wheel of the MCL39 and supporting the team with the set-up for the race weekend ahead. 'I've been preparing well for the sessions, taking part in Testing of Previous Cars tests in the MCL60 and spending time on the simulator, which has been a fantastic learning experience. Thank you to Zak, Andrea and Alessandro for their faith in me. 'It's a great step within my development with the McLaren Driver Development Programme, and I'm really excited to join the team trackside.' McLaren team principal Andrea Stella added: 'It's great to be able to give Alex the opportunity to run in FP1, and for him to get valuable time behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car as part of his development. 'The team are pleased to be working with him more closely, and for his support across the weekend, where he will be providing useful feedback to help with the car's set-up. 'The rookie sessions are fantastic for seeing the talent of tomorrow and enabling that rare chance to get time in a current car, so we look forward to seeing him on track.'
Irish Independent
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Irish motor-racing star and F2 leader Alex Dunne to drive McLaren's Formula 1 car during Austrian Grand Prix weekend
The 19-year-old from Offaly currently tops the Formula 2 championship standings, having claimed two victories so far this season, backing up his maiden victory in Bahrain with a repeat at Imola. Dunne joined McLaren's driver development programme in May last year while competing in the FIA Formula 3 championship, and is racing in the second tier championship for Rodin Motorsport. He also holds the role of Reserve and Development Driver for the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. He will take over Lando Norris's seat for Free Practice 1 (FP1), as teams are required to give rookie drivers at least two practice outings per car during the 2025 season, with Ferrari also announcing that their junior driver Dino Beganovic will replace Charles Leclerc for FP1 at the Red Bull Ring. 'It's an amazing opportunity to be able to drive during FP1 in Austria,' Dunne said after the news was confirmed on Monday. 'I'm really looking forward to getting laps in behind the wheel of the MCL39 and supporting the team with the set-up for the race weekend ahead. 'I've been preparing well for the sessions, taking part in Testing of Previous Cars tests in the MCL60 and spending time on the simulator, which has been a fantastic learning experience. Thank you to Zak, Andrea and Alessandro for their faith in me. 'It's a great step within my development with the McLaren Driver Development Programme, and I'm really excited to join the team trackside.' McLaren team principal Andrea Stella added: 'It's great to be able to give Alex the opportunity to run in FP1, and for him to get valuable time behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car as part of his development. 'The team are pleased to be working with him more closely, and for his support across the weekend, where he will be providing useful feedback to help with the car's set-up. 'The rookie sessions are fantastic for seeing the talent of tomorrow and enabling that rare chance to get time in a current car, so we look forward to seeing him on track.'
Irish Independent
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Irish motor-racing star and F2 leader Alex Dunne to drive McLaren's Formula 1 car at Austrian Grand Prix practice
The 19-year-old from Offaly currently tops the Formula 2 championship standings, having claimed two victories so far this season, backing up his maiden victory in Bahrain with a repeat at Imola. Dunne joined McLaren's driver development programme in May last year while competing in the FIA Formula 3 championship, and is racing in the second tier championship for Rodin Motorsport. He also holds the role of Reserve and Development Driver for the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. He will take over Lando Norris's seat for Free Practice 1 (FP1), as teams are required to give rookie drivers at least two practice outings per car during the 2025 season, with Ferrari also announcing that their junior driver Dino Beganovic will replace Charles Leclerc for FP1 at the Red Bull Ring. 'It's an amazing opportunity to be able to drive during FP1 in Austria,' Dunne said after the news was confirmed on Monday. 'I'm really looking forward to getting laps in behind the wheel of the MCL39 and supporting the team with the set-up for the race weekend ahead. 'I've been preparing well for the sessions, taking part in Testing of Previous Cars tests in the MCL60 and spending time on the simulator, which has been a fantastic learning experience. Thank you to Zak, Andrea and Alessandro for their faith in me. 'It's a great step within my development with the McLaren Driver Development Programme, and I'm really excited to join the team trackside.' McLaren team principal Andrea Stella added: 'It's great to be able to give Alex the opportunity to run in FP1, and for him to get valuable time behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car as part of his development. 'The team are pleased to be working with him more closely, and for his support across the weekend, where he will be providing useful feedback to help with the car's set-up. 'The rookie sessions are fantastic for seeing the talent of tomorrow and enabling that rare chance to get time in a current car, so we look forward to seeing him on track.'
Irish Examiner
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Alex Dunne to become first Irish driver to feature in Formula 1 weekend in 22 years
Offaly's Alex Dunne will become the first Irish driver in 22 years to take part in a Formula 1 weekend when he takes to the track at the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix. On Monday, McClaren confirmed that the 19-year-old will compete in the Free Practice 1 in Austria this weekend in place of Lando Norris. Dunne, who is a development driver for McLaren, has impressed in his first year in the Formula 2, winning two races which sees him lead the championship. 'It's an amazing opportunity to be able to drive during FP1 in Austria," said Dunne, who will become the first Irish driver to participate in a Grand Prix weekend since Ralph Firman back in 2003. "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. 'I've been preparing well for the sessions, taking part in Testing of Previous Cars tests in the MCL60 and spending time on the simulator, which has been a fantastic learning experience. "Thank you to Zak, Andrea and Alessandro for their faith in me. It's a great step within my development with the McLaren Driver Development Programme, and I'm really excited to join the team trackside.' Formula 2 championship leader Rodin Motorsport's Alex Dunne in the paddock before the race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain. Pic: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire. Andrea Stella, Team Principal at McLaren F1, added: 'It's great to be able to give Alex the opportunity to run in Free Practice 1, and for him to get valuable time behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car as part of his development. "The team are pleased to be working with him more closely, and for his support across the weekend, where he will be providing useful feedback to help with the car's set-up. "The rookie sessions are fantastic for seeing the talent of tomorrow and enabling that rare chance to get time in a current car, so we look forward to seeing him on track.' Dunne began karting at eight years old, securing his first European karting title in the 2019 WSK Champions Cup OKJ Category. He made his single-seater debut in the 2021 Spanish F4 Championship, securing Pole position and a podium on debut. In his 2022 season, he picked up a combined 16 race wins whilst competing in the British, UAE, and Italian Formula 4 Championships, earning him the British 4 Championship, before going on to earn the vice-champion title in the GB3 Championship the following year. Dunne was announced as part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme in May 2024 whilst competing in FIA Formula 3. He now races for Rodin Motorsport in FIA Formula 2 and serves as Reserve and Development Driver for NEOM McLaren Formula E Team.
1News
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- 1News
Formula 1: Lawson scores double top 10 finishes in Candian GP practice
Kiwi Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson will be aiming to break into the points at this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, after an impressive double top 10 finish during Free Practice 1 and Free Practice 2. The Racing Bulls driver clocked a fastest lap time of 1:13.737s in FP1 - just 0.0544 off the lead from reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who set the fastest time of the session. Lawson finished the session in P8, behind teammate Isack Hadjar who finished P6. The Kiwi finished 10th during FP2- setting a fastest lap time of 1:12.751s on a set of soft tires. Mercedes driver George Russell went fastest in the session, with a fastest lap time of 1:12.123s. A points scoring finish in Montreal is crucial for Lawson, after narrowly missing out on a top 10 finish during the last race at the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya in Spain. ADVERTISEMENT A poorly timed safety car saw the Kiwi slip to 11th during the final laps of the race, denying him what would have been his second points finish of the season. It will be a first-time racing at the Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve for both Lawson and Hadjar, with the track often absent from Formula 2 and Formula 3 calendars. Lawson on track during FP1 in Montreal. (Source: Getty) Verstappen walks a penalty tightrope Reigning world champion Max Verstappen will want to keep his racing clean in Canada, otherwise he could face a one race ban. The Dutch driver has racked up a total of 11 penalty points over a 12-month period- collecting three during the last race in Spain after a collision with Mercedes driver George Russell. Earning one more penalty point this weekend would sit Verstappen on 12 penalty points - enough to result in a one race ban. ADVERTISEMENT Verstappen said he is not changing his approach heading into the race weekend, despite the fine penalty margin. "I'm not here, of course, to try and get a ban," the Dutch driver said to reporters. "Missing a race is not ideal. But it's not the end of the world." Max Verstappen will hope to close the gap to McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the driver's standings. (Source: Getty) If Verstappen were to miss a Grand Prix, Red Bull would likely grab Lawson or teammate Hadjar to fill in for one race, with Racing Bulls reserve driver Ayumu Iwasa taking the vacant seat in the junior team. Verstappen has claimed victory in Montreal for the last three Grand Prix and will hope to finish ahead of current championship leaders McLaren in this weekend's race. Having won all but two races in the 2025 season, the reigning constructer's champions have established themselves as the team to beat. Oscar Piastri of McLaren currently leads the drivers' standings on 186 points, with teammate Lando Norris just 10 points behind. Qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix will take place Sunday morning (8am NZT), with the race taking place Monday (6am NZT).
