"Best day of my life": Alex Dunne wows with fourth-place finish in F1 practice

Offaly's Alex Dunne has described his fourth-place finish in his first Formula One practice session at the Austrian Grand Prix today (Friday) as "the best day of my life".

The 19-year-old from Clonbullogue performed superbly in his debut appearance for McLaren at F1 level, coming in ahead of every other driver apart from George Russell, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri.

Understandably emotional after the landmark performance, he said: "I want to say a massive thank you.

"A little boy's dream came true, and this is definitely the best day of my life, so thank you everyone. Thank you everyone for letting me do this and thanks Lando (Norris), as well, for trusting me with this car."

After some very impressive displays at F2 level this year, this eye-catching performance in F1 practice will only add to Alex Dunne's reputation as a rising international star of the sport.

There have been plenty of well-wishes extended to the local man this afternoon, with an Offaly jersey also spotted in the Alex Dunne camp at the grand prix event!

As well as being the first Offaly person to ever step into the whirlwind world of F1 racing, Alex Dunne is the first Irishman in over two decades to participate in an F1 event since English-born Ralph Firman raced under an Irish licence for the Jordan team in 2003.