McLaren’s Andrea Stella has pointed at one particular area of Alex Dunne’s practice outing last weekend that deeply impressed him. The young Irishman, the leading light of McLaren’s junior programme, took part in his first Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend in Austria, with Dunne piloting the MCL39 to fourth place on the timesheets.

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

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.