Dunne completes McLaren Formula E rookie test lineup

McLaren will field Formula 2 title contender Alex Dunne at next month's Formula E rookie test in Berlin.

The Irishman will join Ella Lloyd at the test, with NEOM McLaren becoming the first team to announce its full two-car lineup for the test.

“I’m very excited to be getting another opportunity in the GEN3 Evo at the Berlin Rookie Test next month,” said Dunne. “Since I joined the team as Reserve and Development Driver, I’ve learnt so much about what it takes to get the maximum out of these cars, and I can’t wait to get out on track again.”

Dunne, a member of the McLaren driver development program, has been serving as McLaren’s reserve and development driver in Formula E this year and took part in the rookie free practice session in Jeddah earlier in the season. He currently leads the Formula 2 standings, having won two races – the feature races in Bahrain and Imola – so far this season.

He previously won the 2022 British Formula 4 championship, finishing second in Italian F4 in the same year, then finished second in GB3 in 2023. Last year he competed in FIA Formula 3, taking podium finishes in Barcelona and at Monza.

“Having already played a crucial role in supporting the team this season as our reserve and development driver, I’m very pleased that Alex will have another opportunity behind the wheel of the GEN3 Evo at the Berlin Rookie Test,” said Ian James, NEOM McLaren team principal and NEOM McLaren Electric Racing managing director.

“Alex has shown to have great pace and skill in Formula 2 this season, and I hope he will take this confidence with him to make the most of this outing in Berlin.”

McLaren has a history of promoting young talent in Formula E. In its first season it handed a debut to Jake Hughes, promoting him from the reserve and development he held during the team’s previous incarnation as Mercedes.

This year Taylor Barnard, another former reserve and development driver for the team, has been racing alongside Sam Bird, who he stood in for at three races last season while Bird was out injured.

Barnard currently sits fourth in the points, with five podium finishes from 10 starts, having broken the records for youngest polesitter and podium finisher this season, adding to his accolade as youngest points scorer which he achieved in Berlin last year will filling in for Bird.