Talented Offaly racing driver gets McLaren F1 test drive

Clonbullogue native and one of Ireland's most promising young racing drivers, Alex Dunne, has taken a major leap forward in his career by undertaking a test drive in a McLaren Formula 1 car.

Hot on the heels of having claimed a maiden FIA Formula 2 victory for Ireland last month in the Bahrain Grand Prix feature race, news that the 19-year old has been given an opportunity to test drive the McLaren Formula 1 car certainly bodes well for his future in motorsport.

The test drive was offered to the young Offaly man as part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme , which he joined last year, as part of their drive to assess and cultivate future Formula 1 talent.

Dunne competed in Formula 3 last year but progressed to F2 for the 2025 season, racing with the Rodin team.

The McLaren Test took place at the 4.259-kilometre Circuit Zandvoort in the Netherlands. It was the first time that Alex Dunne at behind the wheel of an FI car, which is a major milestone for the Offaly man whose racing career has been going for strength to strength.