Alex Dunne has taken another step on the road to Formula 1, signing with the McLaren Driver Development Programme.
The 18-year-old Irishman is in the midst of his first season in the Formula 3 championship.
Having impressed in the more junior categories, Dunne signed with MP Motorsport ahead of the 2024 season.
Ahead of his return to action at Imola this weekend, the exciting announcement was made that Dunne has signed with the academy of one of F1's most prestigious teams.
READ HERE: Top Gear's Ayrton Senna Tribute Remains One Of The Best Pieces Of Sports TV Ever Produced
READ HERE: NFL To Conduct Feasibility Study On Dublin Games This Summer
Alex Dunne signs with McLaren Driver Development Programme
McLaren announced on Thursday morning that they had signed Formula 3 duo Alex Dunne and Martinius Stenshorne to their Driver Development Programme. The academy project aims to get junior drivers to Formula 1, IndyCar and Formula E.
It is among the most prestigious academies in motorsport, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton the headline name on its list of graduates. Current McLaren driver Lando Norris is another, as well as Haas driver Kevin Magnussen and Formula E world champion Stoffel Vandoorne.
View this post on Instagram
Speaking after signing up with McLaren, Alex Dunne said:
It’s an honour to join the McLaren Driver Development programme and I’m looking forward to getting started with the team. 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.
Dunne and Stenshorne will now be supported by McLaren, with the pair's cars set to run in the team's trademark papaya orange colour scheme from this weekend onwards.
READ HERE: Irishman Alex Dunne Ready To Capitalise On Biggest Step Yet On Road To F1
McLaren are the second most successful team in Formula 1 history behind Ferrari, having won 12 drivers' championships and eight constructors' championships.
Their win last time out with Lando Norris in Miami was, however, just their second in the past 12 years. They have nonetheless been among the chasing pack behind Max Verstappen's Red Bull in recent years, and it is a huge endorsement of Alex Dunne's talent to have been snapped up by such a motorsport giant.
Dunne will hope to further prove why McLaren have signed him when the Formula 3 championship resumes this weekend. The F3 circus will be one of the support series at this weekend's Formula 1 Grand Prix at Imola.
The sprint race takes place on Saturday at 9:05am Irish time, with the feature race at 7:30am on Sunday. Dunne currently sits 17th in the championship standings, after a pair of points finishes from the first four races.
SEE ALSO: 10 Years Later, It's Impossible Not To Get Sucked In By The Rory McIlroy Dream
