McLaren ropes in two emerging Formula 3 stars for their driver's development Programme

McLaren Racing has made waves in the motorsport world by unveiling the latest additions to their prestigious Driver Development Programme. The British racing outfit has officially welcomed Alex Dunne and Martinius Stenshorne into their fold.

Alex Dunne, hailing from Ireland, has left a lasting impression on the motorsports world. The 18-year-old prodigy caught the attention of McLaren after clinching the 2022 British F4 Championship title with Hitech Grand Prix. Building upon his success, Dunne showed his potential earlier this year with a remarkable performance in Bahrain, securing his maiden points finish in Formula 3 while racing for MP Motorsport.

Meanwhile, Martinius Stenshorne from Norway brings with him a diverse racing background. With roots in rallying and a successful stint as a karting sensation during his junior days, Stenshorne's transition to Formula 3 has been nothing short of impressive. Racing under the banner of Hitech Pulse-Eight, the Norwegian talent made headlines by clinching victory in a Sprint race held in Australia.

‘Really excited’, says new joiners 

Speaking about their addition to the programme both drivers expressed their happiness. "It’s an honour to join the McLaren Driver Development programme. 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 Brown and Stephanie’s support and I’m excited to meet the rest of the team at MTC”, said Dunne in a statement. 

"I’m incredibly excited to join the McLaren Driver Development programme, it’s an honour to now be part of the McLaren family," said Stenshorne. “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. Thank you to Zak, Stephanie and the entire team for their faith in me, I can’t wait to get started”, he further added. 

Notably, McLaren's Driver Development Programme, established in 2022, serves as a vital platform for nurturing emerging talent. It also helps in channeling them towards the upper echelons of motorsport, including Formula 1, Formula E, and IndyCar. 

McLaren's commitment to fostering talent is exemplified by their role in propelling the careers of Formula 1 stalwarts such as Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris. Both Hamilton and Norris were beneficiaries of McLaren's tutelage, seamlessly transitioning from the junior ranks to the pinnacle of motorsport, where they consistently challenge for top honours on the grid.