Alex Dunne joins McLaren Driver Development programme
The McLaren Formula One team recently announced that Offaly teenager Alex Dunne has joined their driver development programme, making him the first Irish Driver to be part of a Grand Prix teams’ young driver programme.
Currently driving in his maiden Formula 3 season, Dunne is a former British Formula 4 champion and runner up in both the British F3 and Italian F4 series. The Harris Group backed driver has made an excellent start to his first season in F3 as he builds his experience of racing in a Grand Prix support class for the first time.
Alex’s involvement in the McLaren Driver Development programme will see him join the team’s talent pipeline, which was established in 2022, following the team’s long history of developing talent in motorsport and has an overarching aim of helping drivers progress towards Formula 1, IndyCar and Formula E. The programme is led by F1 Business Operations Director Stephanie Carlin who was pleased to announce that Alex had joined the McLaren Driver Development programme and added that he was an exciting and promising young talent with a proven track record in Junior categories, including this season in F3.
Speaking about his McLaren opportunity, Dunne called joining the team an “honour” and believes it is the “perfect” place for him to grow as a driver. “It’s an honour to join the McLaren Driver Development programme and I’m looking forward to getting started with the team,” said Dunne. “McLaren provides the perfect environment for me to develop my skillset as I continue my journey in motorsport. I’m grateful for Zak and Stephanie’s support and I’m excited to meet the rest of the team at MTC (McLaren Technology Centre).”
Alex will continue to race in Formula 3 this season, wearing the McLaren colours and he aims to repay the teams support by continuing his strong progress in F3 this season before an intended move into F2 in 2025, as the final stepping stone on his way to racing in Formula One.
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