Oscar Piastri, the current leader in the Formula 1 championship, will not participate in Free Practice 1 (FP1) at the Italian Grand Prix. Instead, McLaren’s junior driver Alex Dunne will take his place for this session at Monza, continuing the team’s strategy of giving rookie drivers track time during race weekends.
The F1 rules require teams to run drivers classified as rookies—those who have competed in fewer than three grands prix—on four race weekends in a season. This practice often occurs during FP1 sessions on well-known circuits so that regular drivers miss minimal preparation time for the competitive portions of the weekend. Dunne has already had experience in FP1 this year, having driven in Austria where he finished fourth with a time just 0.069 seconds slower than Piastri.
Alex Dunne’s Performance and Background
Alex Dunne, a member of McLaren’s driver development program since May 2024, will pilot the team’s spare car for FP1 at the Italian GP. He considers this opportunity particularly special given Monza’s historic status within motorsport.
My first one in Austria was an extremely special day for me, but I think to do it again in Monza, which is a track that’s so historic and prestigious, is definitely going to put a very big smile on my face,
the Irishman said.
Dunne has previously achieved notable success in junior categories, including winning two feature races in Formula 2 with Rodin Motorsport. At 19 years old, Dunne is currently competing in his first full F2 season and is among five drivers in contention for the championship title. Although he narrowly missed a third win in a wet Spa-Francorchamps event due to a penalty for a starting infraction, his campaign has been strong so far.
Hopefully I can build and improve on what was already a strong outing in Austria, and help Lando and Oscar as much as possible going into their weekend.
Before stepping up to F2, Dunne was a British F4 champion and a runner-up in GB3, consistently performing well in every full season except for a winless campaign in FIA Formula 3 last year.
Young Drivers Taking Opportunities Across Teams
Alex Dunne will not be the only young driver participating in FP1 during the Italian Grand Prix weekend. Paul Aron, a 21-year-old Estonian and Alpine reserve driver, will substitute for Franco Colapinto at Alpine for this session. Aron finished third in the Formula 2 championship last year but does not have a racing program in 2024, focusing instead on reserve and testing duties with Alpine.
Earlier this year, Aron was loaned to Sauber for FP1 sessions at Silverstone and the Hungaroring, and he has also tested Alpine’s current F1 car following the Hungarian GP. Alpine clarified that its decision not to classify Jack Doohan’s FP1 outing in Melbourne as a rookie session was made to ensure fairness regarding the number of driver changes across their cars.
The team still needs Pierre Gasly to sit out in two sessions later this season, following the five driver-rotation regulation.
Implications for the Italian Grand Prix and Team Dynamics
Allowing rookies like Dunne and Aron track time during FP1 aims to foster talent development and provide valuable experience without compromising the main drivers’ race preparation. For McLaren, this approach not only supports the progression of promising young talent like Dunne but also keeps their lead driver, Piastri, fresh for qualifying and race duties.
With the Italian Grand Prix being one of the most prestigious and fastest circuits on the calendar, gaining familiarity with Monza’s unique high-speed layout will benefit rookies and teams alike in the long term. For Dunne, this represents another crucial step in proving his capability and readiness for higher levels of competition in Formula 1.
