2023 GB3 runner-up Alex Dunne will drive for McLaren in Free Practice One during this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old currently leads the Formula 2 Championship standings with two wins and two further podiums to his name from the first 11 races of the year.
Having been a member of the McLaren Driver Development Programme since May 2024, Dunne will be the first Irishman to participate in a Grand Prix weekend since Ralph Firman in 2003.
He will take over Lando Norris' car for the hour long session on Friday, and already has F1 car experience having driven the team's 2023 machine at Zandvoort recently, as part of its testing of previous cars programme.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to drive during FP1 in Austria. I’m really looking forward to getting laps in behind the wheel of the MCL39 and supporting the team with the setup for the race weekend ahead," said Dunne.
“I’ve been preparing well for the sessions, taking part in Testing of Previous Cars tests in the MCL60 and spending time on the simulator, which has been a fantastic learning experience.
"Thank you to Zak [Brown], Andrea [Stella] and Alessandro [Alunni Bravi] for their faith in me. It’s a great step within my development with the McLaren Driver Development Programme, and I’m really excited to join the team trackside.”
McLaren's Team Principal Stella added: “It’s great to be able to give Alex the opportunity to run in Free Practice 1, and for him to get valuable time behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car as part of his development.
"The team are pleased to be working with him more closely, and for his support across the weekend, where he will be providing useful feedback to help with the car’s set-up.
"The rookie sessions are fantastic for seeing the talent of tomorrow and enabling that rare chance to get time in a current car, so we look forward to seeing him on track.”