Eire’s Alex Dunne will return to drive for McLaren in first observe on the Italian Grand Prix in Monza on Friday.
Dunne, 19, starred in his debut observe outing earlier this 12 months in Austria when he was fourth within the session and inside one tenth of Oscar Piastri in equal equipment.
{The teenager} was the primary Irish driver to compete in an F1 weekend in 22 years and also will proceed his Formulation 2 marketing campaign in Monza, the place he’s fifth within the standings.
“I’m super excited to be back for my second FP1 with McLaren in Monza this weekend,” stated Dunne.
“My first one in Austria was a particularly big day for me so to do it once more at Monza, a monitor which is so historic, goes to be put a giant smile on my face, so actually wanting ahead to it.
“Hopefully I can build and improve upon what was a strong outing in Austria and help Lando and Oscar as much as possible going into the Grand Prix.”
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Dunne was buoyant after ending fourth throughout opening observe in Austria
All 10 Formulation 1 groups should run a rookie in at the very least 4 observe classes this season.
McLaren have already introduced IndyCar star Pato O’Ward will get an outing at his residence occasion in Mexico Metropolis in October and are more likely to full the rookie necessities in Abu Dhabi with a driver but to be confirmed.
Who’s Alex Dunne?
Born on November 11 2005 in Offaly, Dunne rapidly rose by the karting ranks and jumped on the alternative to drive in Formulation 4 when he turned 15 – the minimal age you’ll be able to drive at that stage.
He took pole place and a podium on his single-seater debut in F4, then dominated the British F4 season in 2022 as curiosity elevated.
Dunne was runner-up to Kimi Antonelli in Italian F4 in the identical 12 months, then completed second within the GB3 Championship in 2023. Though he struggled to constantly shine in F3, McLaren signed him in Could 2024 and Dunne made the step as much as F2 with Rodin Motorsport this 12 months.
Dunne has beforehand impressed in Formulation 2 and Formulation 3
He was not anticipated to be a title challenger however discovered himself main the standings after two spectacular characteristic race wins in Bahrain and Imola, plus two different podiums within the early a part of the season.
Nonetheless, he was deemed at fault for a Flip 1 incident in Monaco’s Function Race in Could towards Victor Martins which triggered a pile-up. Dunne was closely criticised on social media, which led to him deleting apps on his telephone.
“I got a lot of stuff after Monaco, normally I’m not someone who reads things and gets annoyed by them,” he stated.
“But I think an hour after the race, I deleted social media off my phone because I’ve never received such bad messages in my life. A lot of the stuff I got was really bad and quite upsetting, to be honest.”
Dunne bounced again from a grid penalty for the Monaco incident by flying by the sector from nineteenth to second place within the F2 Dash in Spain and took fifth within the Function Race to retain his championship lead.
Dunne is already the primary Irish driver to take part at a Formulation 1 weekend in 22 years
He crossed the road in second on the subsequent spherical within the Austria Function Race, the identical weekend he made his F1 observe debut for McLaren, however was disqualified for extreme plank put on.
Dunne took second within the Silverstone Function Race and the Hungary Dash however was penalised after a dominant victory within the rain in Belgium for a begin process infringement.
The latest combined outcomes put him fifth within the F2 championship, 30 factors behind chief Leonardo Fornaroli with 4 occasions to go within the season.
Sky Sports activities F1’s Italian GP Schedule
Thursday September 4
2pm: Drivers’ Press Convention
Friday September 5
8.30am: F3 Apply
9.55am: F2 Apply
12pm: Italian Grand Prix Apply One (session begins at 12:30pm)*
1.55pm: F3 Qualifying
2.50pm: F2 Qualifying
3.35pm: Italian Grand Prix Apply Two (session begins at 4pm)
5.15pm: The F1 Present
Saturday September 6
8.10am: F3 Dash
11.15am: Italian Grand Prix Apply Three (session begins at 11:30am)
1.10pm: F2 Dash
2.15pm: Italian Grand Prix Qualifying build-up
3pm: ITALIAN GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday September 7
7.10am: F3 Function Race
8.40am: F2 Function Race
10.40am: Porsche Supercup Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Italian GP build-up
2pm: THE ITALIAN GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Chequered Flag: Italian GP response
5pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*additionally on Sky Sports activities Predominant Occasion
The 2025 Formulation 1 season continues this weekend with the Italian Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton makes his first look at Monza for Ferrari, stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
