Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris will both sit out the first practice session (FP1) at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, allowing McLaren and Ferrari junior drivers the opportunity to gain valuable track time. The 2025 European Formula 1 season continues at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, with teams using FP1 to prepare for the upcoming race weekend while integrating emerging talent.
Norris to Hand Over Car to McLaren Junior Alex Dunne
Lando Norris has been trailing his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri by 22 points after a tough Canadian Grand Prix where he collided with Piastri while fighting for fourth place late in the race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Despite his recent setback, Norris remains optimistic about a strong showing in Austria, a track where he earned his first F1 podium in 2020 and nearly claimed pole position in 2021.
Instead of driving in FP1, Norris will hand over his McLaren MCL39 to Alex Dunne, a standout in the FIA Formula 2 championship and part of McLaren’s junior program. Dunne currently leads the F2 standings by three points over Richard Verschoor and races for Rodin Motorsport.
Expressing enthusiasm about the upcoming session, Dunne said,
“It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to drive during FP1 in Austria. I’m really looking forward to getting laps in behind the wheel of the MCL39 and supporting the team with the setup for the race weekend ahead.”
“I’ve been preparing well for the sessions, taking part in Testing of Previous Cars tests in the MCL60 and spending time on the simulator, which has been a fantastic learning experience. Thank you to Zak, Andrea and Alessandro for their faith in me. It’s a great step within my development with the McLaren Driver Development Programme, and I’m really excited to join the team trackside.”
—Alex Dunne, McLaren Junior Driver
Ferrari Hands FP1 Duty to Dino Beganovic
Ferrari has also confirmed that Charles Leclerc will not participate in FP1 at the Austrian Grand Prix. Instead, the team is giving track time to Dino Beganovic, who will pilot the SF-25 during the session. Beganovic is currently tenth in the FIA Formula 2 championship and has recorded podium finishes, including third place at the Imola feature races.
The Impact of Junior Drivers in Formula 1 Practice Sessions
Allowing junior drivers like Dunne and Beganovic to compete in FP1 provides these emerging talents with invaluable experience in modern F1 machinery, accelerating their development and readiness for future Formula 1 opportunities. For teams, it is also a chance to evaluate up-and-coming drivers under real track conditions and gather additional feedback on the car setup.
This weekend’s arrangement reflects both McLaren and Ferrari’s commitment to nurturing young drivers while balancing their race weekend preparations. With Norris and Leclerc refocusing on qualifying and race pace, the juniors’ involvement in FP1 brings fresh excitement to the Austrian Grand Prix and demonstrates the ongoing evolution of driver development within F1.
