Alex Dunne stepped into the cockpit of Lando Norris’ McLaren as an up-and-coming driver without Formula 1 experience.

The first practice session at the Austrian Grand Prix is in the books, with Mercedes driver George Russell topping the timing sheets ahead of Max Verstappen. But the driver that perhaps impressed the most will not be in the car for the rest of the weekend.

McLaren junior driver Alex Dunne described his stunning official Formula 1 debut in Austria on Friday as “something pretty special”.