P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lando Norris sidelined for Austrian GP practice as McLaren reveal replacement
The McLaren F1 team has announced that Alex Dunne will participate in his first F1 free practice session at the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend, replacing Lando Norris for the 60-minute outing. Dunne, leading the F2 drivers’ championship, has been a part of McLaren’s junior programme since mid-2024 and recently had his first F1 experience driving the MCL60 at Zandvoort in preparation for this weekend’s debut. At just 19 years old, Dunne will be the first Irishman to compete in a grand prix weekend since Ralph Firman in 2003, expressing excitement and gratitude for the opportunity. His drive in FP1 is a significant step in his development within the McLaren Driver Development Programme, with Dunne looking forward to supporting the team and gaining valuable experience on track. This marks McLaren’s first rookie FP1 experience this season, as each team is required to provide four practice sessions to a rookie driver throughout the 2025 campaign, double the obligation from the previous year.
