IRISH TEENAGER Alex Dunne has taken the right steps towards Formula One after signing with the McLaren Driver Development Programme.
The 18-year-old is currently enjoying his first season in the Formula Three championship.
After impressing in junior categories, Dunne joined Martinius Stenshorne in signing with the motorsport giants.
Speaking after the deal, Dunne said: “It’s an honour to join the McLaren Driver Development programme and I’m looking forward to getting started with the team.
“McLaren provides the perfect environment for me to develop my skillset as I continue my journey in motorsport.
“I’m grateful for Zak and Stephanie’s support and I’m excited to meet the rest of the team at MTC.”
The academy was put in place with the aim of getting junior drivers towards Formula One, IndyCar and Formula E.
Lewis Hamilton graduated from the McLaren academy with current driver Lando Norris being another headline name.
Haas driver Kevin Magnussen and Formula E world champion Stoffel Vandoorne are other big names to come from the system.
McLaren are the second most successful team in Formula One history only behind Ferrari.
They have won 12 drivers’ championships and eight constructors’ championships.
However, McLaren have only won two championships in the last 12 years with Lando Norris bringing home the second in Miami this month.
Dunne hopefully show why McLaren have signed him when the Formula 3 championship resumes this weekend.
The sprint race takes place on Saturday at 9:05am Irish time, with the feature race at 7:30am on Sunday.
Dunne is currently sitting at 17th in the championship standings.
The Offaly native won the 2022 British F4 Championship title with Hitech Grand Prix and finished as vice-champion in both the 2022 Italian F4 Championship and the 2023 GB3 Championship.
This season, Dunne has picked up points in the first two rounds in Bahrain and Australia.