Dunne Stuns in McLaren Debut, Echoing Verstappen’s Rise

F2 points leader Alex Dunne made an impressive debut, nearly matching Oscar Piastri. His performance hints at a promising future, mirroring the paths of other top drivers who made a splash in their first F1 practice sessions.

Dunne’s Surprising Pace

Dunne, in the initial practice run, was a mere 0.069 seconds shy of Piastri. Though conditions varied, these early debuts often reveal potential. Early showings by Max Verstappen, George Russell, and Lando Norris foreshadowed their future success.

The final times were notable, with Dunne clocking a 1m05.766s. He started slowly, with aero tests. He quickly improved and made adjustments based on feedback.

Lando Norris’s engineer, Will Joseph, guided Dunne. Dunne had a recovery lap from a mistake, then significantly improved his time. He then reduced his time to a 1m06.450s.

After the run, Dunne proactively suggested changes. This was then followed by soft tire runs. He showed immediate confidence, including how he used kerbs in the final corners.

Junior Career Trajectory

Dunne’s progression shows continuous improvement. He began in Spanish and German F4, and then progressed, with wins in the British F4. He secured 2nd place in GB3 in 2023, and 14th in FIA F3 in 2024, and now leads FIA F2.

Confidence and Feedback

Despite minor issues, Dunne showed confidence, addressing feedback. He improved entry speed at Turn 3. This performance earned McLaren’s trust, who gave him a late-session soft tyre run.

McLaren’s Trust and Future Prospects

Dunne impressed in McLaren’s testing program. He drove the MCL37 from 2023 at Zandvoort. His performance was vital for McLaren, allowing him to push the limits of the 2025 car. Currently, Dunne is leading in FIA F2.

Warren Hughes, head of McLaren’s driver development program, noted Dunne’s rapid progress. Dunne has already won two feature races.

“He’s just adding layers onto his raw ability right now with the support from McLaren.”

—Warren Hughes, McLaren’s Driver Development

Dunne can analyze his driving, which has improved. With a focus on his exit speed, Dunne immediately improved, suggesting a bright future. In 2023, there were 24 different drivers who took part in an official Formula 1 practice session (Formula1.com).

When Joseph advised him to focus on exit speed, Dunne responded, showing his ability to adjust. It showed he has the potential for McLaren’s future, given his F2 results. Even with established drivers in place, a performance like this opens doors.