Photo: Formula Motorsport Ltd
McLaren has announced that Alex Dunne, one of its junior drivers, will be a reserve driver for its Formula E squad this year.
The 2024-25 FE season got underway last month, with McLaren promoting its previous reserve driver Taylor Barnard to a full-time race seat after he had impressed in several outings as a stand-in.
Dunne joined the McLaren Driver Development Programme last year after being 2023 GB3 runner-up, and he went on to come 14th in the FIA Formula 3 Championship and sixth in the Formula Regional World Cup-awarding Macau Grand Prix. His 2025 racing plans are yet to be confirmed, and in the off-season he has done a Formula 2 test.
“I’m excited to be joining the McLaren FE team as reserve and development Driver,” said the 19-year-old Irishman.
“Working with McLaren as part of my experience in the MDDP is an excellent opportunity to hone my skills. I’m looking forward to doing what I can to support the team and learn as much as possible.”
McLaren’s FE team principal Ian James added: “Alex is an up-and-coming talent in single-seater motorsport and has been part of the MDDP since last season, through which we have been able to follow his progress and development. We are all looking forward to working with him in 2025. Alex will play an important role for us, adding value to the McLaren FE team with his drive and talent, while also gaining experience himself along the way.”
Andretti Global – a rival to McLaren in FE, IndyCar and soon Formula 1 too – has also made a driver signing as eight-year-old Zayne Burgess joins its driver development programme. He drove for a karting team co-owned by FE champion Nelson Piquet Jr last year, and for 2025 he will drive mini karts at home in America and also in Europe.
Formula 4 racer Sebatian Wheldon and his younger brother Oliver are also Andretti juniors.