Alex Dunne finished fourth in F1 FP1 at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix for McLaren. He was also juggling his fight towards the 2025 Formula 2 title and upcoming responsibilities in Formula E.
Dunne’s Whirlwind Weekend
“I wouldn’t say I’m a celebrity,” Dunne laughed after being asked about his whirlwind of a weekend.
“What happened on Friday definitely […] put me in a good position. I gave myself the best opportunity of trying to show what I’m capable of in a Formula 1 car and I think a lot of that as well is thanks to McLaren for helping me develop and preparing me.”
Dunne participated in Friday’s Formula 1 FP1 session at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, using the Lando Norris’ MCL39 for just one hour.
Remarkably, the Irish driver completed the session in fourth, with just George Russell, Max Verstappen and fellow McLaren driver Oscar Piastri ahead of him.
However, above all of this, Dunne’s priority remains as the fight for the 2025 FIA Formula 2 Championship, where he currently sits in second.
“I think on the Friday, generally, it was quite a tiring day, to be honest. I got straight out of F1 and by the time I was back in the truck at Rodin, I had to get changed and jump straight back in the F2 car again,” admitted Dunne.
“Over the whole day, I kind of just felt a little bit tired. It was relatively difficult to perform to the level I wanted to in qualifying so I think if I was to do it again, there are probably some things I would do differently to make it easier for myself, both mentally and physically.”
Despite previously taking part in private tests, the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix was Dunne’s first experience of driving a Formula 1 car in a live session.
“Overall, it was still a very, very cool experience. I’m happy that it went well.”
What It Really Takes
“It was very, very difficult and I think the jump from F2 to F1 is definitely much easier than it is to go back.”
With FP1 taking place on Friday morning at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, Dunne was expected to jump back into his Formula 2 car just over an hour later for Formula 2 Qualifying.
“The F1 car […] especially the McLaren this year, obviously, is a very strong car, which makes a difference. In an F1 car, when you turn into the high-speed corners, it feels like you have an unlimited amount of grip. Every lap, you can push more and more, and the car seems to always be able to take it,” Dunne reminisced.
“I think on my first lap [during F2 qualifying], I kind of carried the approach of an F1 car into turn 6, and I nearly spun, and I realised pretty quickly that ‘you’re going to have to rein it in’.”
Despite admitting his current weaknesses when having to adapt from one machinery to another in a short space of time, Dunne was still able to set the seventh quickest time in Formula 2 qualifying.
Lining up in fourth for Saturday’s Sprint Race, a five-second penalty during the Safety Car period saw the Irish driver finish in sixth.
Finishing second in Sunday’s Feature Race after an impressive drive through the field, unfortunately Dunne was later disqualified after his car was found to have excessive front plank wear.
Despite this, the Rodin driver was able to show high levels of adaptability throughout the weekend, mitigating the impact that his struggles had on his performance to give strong results in both Formula 1 and Formula 2.
From FP1 To Formula E
As well as his impressive FP1 outing, it was also announced that Dunne will be taking part in the Formula E Rookie Test in Berlin later this month.
“It’s definitely not easy […] I think I have a lot of things going on at the minute,” Dunne replied when asked about how he is currently managing these extra responsibilities.
“Of course, as a driver […] in everything that I’m given the opportunity to compete in, I want to be good at it too […] everything I do, I want to make sure I do it properly, so it is a little bit tricky”
Once again, not shying away from the struggles he faces as a talented driver in demand, Dunne once again looks to McLaren for their welcomed support and guidance.
“I think the fact that everything I’m doing is integrated with McLaren, […] FP1, the Rookie Test in Formula E so […] they’re kind of helping me as much as possible and trying to manage the situation to make sure it’s as easy as possible for me.”
Grateful for the team’s confidence and support, Dunne joined the McLaren Driver Development Programme in 2024, ahead of the 2024 Imola Formula 3 round, the series which he was competing in at the time.
Following this, it was announced that the Irish driver would become the Reserve and Development Driver for McLaren Formula E Team in January 2025.
He made his debut in Formula E machinery during the Rookie Practice session at the Jeddah ePrix.
The Next Formula 2 Champion?
Reflecting on the 2025 Formula 2 Championship fight so far, the rookie reminisces as we reach the halfway point of the season.
“I think the season’s gone pretty well […] there are a couple of things that maybe weren’t so good, but overall, I think it’s been very strong,” said Dunne.
“I think in terms of pace and position, we’ve always been consistent and always been there or thereabouts.”
Looking ahead, the Irish driver pinpoints the crucial step that he will have to take to regain the Championship lead ahead of closest rival Richard Verschoor.
“I think it’s more just […] refining everything rather than focusing on one area and I think in some scenarios, maybe qualifying can be a little bit better,” said Dunne.
“It’s just focusing on improving all areas. As a rookie, there are still many things I can do better, but there’s also a lot of things we’re doing right so I don’t think there’s any major things to improve, it’s just focusing on all the little details to make it better as a whole.”
Formula 2 continues this weekend at the 2025 British Grand Prix.
Featured Image Credit: McLaren Racing
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