In Profile: Alex Dunne

Alex Dunne completed his rookie campaign in Formula 3 in 2024 and enjoyed a strong finish to the season around Monza.
So we’re probably overdue getting to know the McLaren Development Driver talent, but we put some crucial questions to him to answer.
WHAT IS YOUR FIRST RACING MEMORY?
“My first racing memory is not necessarily me racing but it’s actually with my dad, he was a driver for a number of years, and he raced in Formula Ford. He’d take me to the track, and I’d sit on his lap while he was driving the car, and he’d drive me around. So I have nice memories like that.”
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RACING STYLE?
“I would say in terms of driving the car, I’m more on the smooth side of things. Usually with the tyres I’m on the smoother side of things. I like a car that has a really sharp front end, I like it to turn quite a lot and not a fan of understeer. So, a smooth style and a car with a sharp front end.”
WHO IS YOUR RACING HERO?
“I would say Ayrton Senna and then my dad.”
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST RACING ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?
“Probably breaking the record for most wins in a season in British F4. I’ve never experienced anything like that before. Of course, I’ve had good moments before and wins here and there but to break the record, especially when the likes of Lando Norris have raced in that Championship before and Oscar Piastri – to break that record was pretty special. I knew by the time I had eight or nine that I was getting close, so I had a good idea I was going to do it.”
READ MORE: Sami Meguetounif on his 2024 Season: Late-season surge
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A RACING DRIVER?
“I think one of them is getting to travel to all of these cool places to race. Travelling to Australia for example is something I could only have dreamed of as a kid. Going to places like Monaco and racing is really special.
“Then there’s also the feeling in the car, that’s pretty special. You’re really close to the limit and I think that feeling is pretty special.”
HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM THE TRACK?
“Sim racing. When I’m not racing, I’m still doing some kind of racing. I’ve tried to kind of do other things to keep me occupied but I get bored, so I just do sim racing.”
DO YOU HAVE A SECRET TALENT?
“I don’t think I do. I’m going to say no. I’m not a bad cook but I don’t know if that counts as a talent. I feel like everyone’s not a bad cook. We’ll go with cooking.”
FAVOURITE TRACK ON THE F3 CALENDAR?
“I think Melbourne, but I quite enjoyed Bahrain actually, it’s quite a weird and different track especially with how high the deg is, but I enjoyed driving it.”