In recent years, McLaren’s Formula 1 young talent has clearly lagged behind the competition from Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes. In the meantime, the development program in Woking only had a single member. But since 2023, the papaya oranges have started a youth offensive.
This will continue in the 2024 Formula 1 season. With two new members from the Imola weekend. Irishman Alex Dunne and Norwegian Martinius Stenshorne are joining the program, McLaren announced on Thursday. Both are 18 years old and are currently competing in Formula 3.
Martinius Stenshorne: Antonelli opponent goes to McLaren
Stenshorne came to Formula 3 via Formula 4 and the European Formula Regional. In the FRECA in 2023, he dueled with Mercedes youngster Andrea Kimi Antonelli for the title, but in the end had to settle for runner-up. Previously, he contested his debut season in formula cars in the Italian Formula 4 and the F4 series in the United Arab Emirates in 2022.
Stenshorne said on joining the junior program: “It’s an honor to now be part of the McLaren family. The team has a great history of developing talent. I’m looking forward to growing with the team and from to learn from their expertise as I continue my journey towards the pinnacle of motorsports.”
Alex Dunne: Great Britain got into Formula 3 via the detour
Dunne, on the other hand, came to Formula 3 via a somewhat more unconventional route. After gaining his first single-seater experience in 2021, he competed in three different F4 series in 2022. However, he then decided against moving up to the regional F3 in 2023, but instead competed in the GB3 (formerly: British Formula 3), where he narrowly missed out on the championship title.
He said: “McLaren offers me the perfect environment to develop my skills and continue my journey in motorsport. I am grateful for the support of Zak and Stephanie [Carlin, F1 Business Operations Director bei McLaren] and look forward to getting to know the rest of the team at MTC.”
Formula 3 is contesting its third weekend of the season at the F1 GP in Imola. Both Dunne and Stenshorne have not yet played a role at the top in the championship. Stenshorne won the sprint race in Melbourne, but came away empty-handed in the three other races that have been held so far in 2024. Alex Dunne scored points in the main race in Bahrain (P9) and in the sprint in Albert Park (P7), but therefore only has six points.
Formula 3 overall standings 2024
McLaren isn’t just competing with Red Bull and Ferrari when it comes to young talent. In 2024, the Formula 1 team from Woking will also increasingly be a danger to the Bulls and the Scuderia on the track. Lando Norris even achieved his first victory at the Miami GP. Will this successful run continue in Imola?