F3 drivers, Alex Dunne and Martinius Stenshorne have joined McLaren’s Driver Development Programme.
Dunne currently is racing in the third tier for MP Motorsport where he lies 17th in the standings in his rookie season after two rounds, having claimed six points in four races.
The 18 year-old previously won six karting titles and won 2022 British F4 title and went on to finish as GB3 vice-champion last season in his first-and-only campaign in that series.
As the first Irish driver to join McLaren’s Driver Development Programme, Dunne commented: “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.”
Stenshorne meanwhile is the first Norwegian to join McLaren’s Driver Development Programme after he finished second in Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine in 2023, having previously won three titles at karting level.
The 18 year-old Norwegian described this opportunity as something which makes him “incredibly excited” and feels like “an honour”, as he becomes the second Nordic driver after Denmark’s Kevin Magnussen to be part of McLaren’s youth-based programme.
Acknowledging McLaren’s history of talent development which recently saw graduate – Lando Norris win the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, Stenshorne said: “The team has a great history of developing talent, so I’m looking forward to growing with the team and learning from their expertise as I continue on my journey towards the top of motorsport.”
McLaren’s F1 Business Operations Director, Stephanie Carlin added that the team are “pleased” to sign Dunne and Stenshorne, who are considered “both exciting and promising young talents within motorsport,” as evidenced by their on-track records in junior categories.
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