Offaly's Alex Dunne (19) makes sporting history

A young Offaly man is making history this afternoon (Friday) by becoming the first Offaly sportsperson to ever take part in the prestigious Formula 1 by driving in the first practice at the Austrian Grand Prix.

In what is a landmark moment in the career of Clonbullogue motorsport sensation Alex Dunne, the 19-year-old took the place of championship challenger, Lando Norris, for the frontrunner McLaren team, behind the wheel of the MCL39 for a practice session at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.

As well as being the first Offaly person to step into the whirlwind world of F1 racing, Alex Dunne is the first Irishman in two decades to participate in an F1 event, since English-born Ralph Firman raced under an Irish licence for the Jordan team in 2003.

Dunne, who is a development driver for McLaren, has had a meteoric rise in the hugely-competitive world of motorsport.

He made an impressive debut at F2 level, climbing to the top of the championship standings in his first year of racing.

The latest Offaly sporting star received plenty of good wishes in advance of his Formula 1 debut today, including from Offaly Fine Gael TD, John Clendennen, who highlighted the lack of financial backing provided to Alex Dunne from official Irish sporting bodies.

Deputy Clendennen, who raised the issue of motorsport funding with Minister for Sport Patrick Donovan, said there should be “structures in place” in order to help support generational talent like Alex, “regardless of the sporting code”.

The Fine Gael deputy claimed that the suppport for the young Offaly man from sporting bodies such as Sport Ireland and Motorsport Ireland has been "non-existent" to date, pointing out that racing at the level of Formula 1 and 2 involves "significant costs".

Deputy Clendennen said Alex Dunne's success presents "a unique opportunity for Offaly and Ireland" given that the global audience for Formula 1 is of the order of 800 million, and he added that he was looking forward to following the success of the young Clonbullogue man as he progresses towards "the pinnacle of his career".

Midlands North-West Fianna Fáil MEP, and Clara native, Barry Cowen, also congratulated Alex Dunne on his debut at F1 level this weekend.

"While it was inevitable he'd make the step up following such dominant performances in F2, it’s no less of an achievement for one of Offaly’s own to be the first Irish driver flying the Tricolour with pride in F1 in over two decades," tweeted MEP Cowen, who added that Offaly is "the best little county in Ireland" for sporting achievement.

Also tweeting support for Alex Dunne was the Offaly GAA county board, who extended "massive congratulations" to the young motorsport star, and described his step up to Formula 1 as "thoroughly deserved".

Condron Concrete Works also tweeted support, stating that the company was "beyond proud" to support Alex Dunne as he prepared to make his F1 debut. "Let's go Alex, the journey continues," Condron Concrete added.