Irish racer Alex Dunne was left increasingly emotional on Friday after making his Formula 1 debut at the Austrian Grand Prix. The 19-year-old branded the moment ‘definitely the best day of my life’ as he posted the fourth-fastest time in opening practice.

Alex Dunne stepped into the cockpit of Lando Norris' McLaren as an up-and-coming driver without Formula 1 experience.

Young Irish driver Alex Dunne made a truly positive impression during FP1 at the Austrian Grand Prix, his first appearance behind the wheel of a current-day F1 car. He ended the session in P4, less than a tenth of a second behind team-mate and F1 2025 championship leader Oscar Piastri.