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McLaren has expanded its driver development programme, adding FIA Formula 3 racers Alex Dunne and Martinius Stenchhorn, as well as Formula 2 driver Gabriel Bortoletto as part of the programme.

This expansion comes shortly after the team brought Formula 2 champion Theo Bourchier to the IndyCar team, even though he is still a rookie at Sauber.

Dan, 18, drives for Dutch team MP Motorsport in FIA F3. The Irishman has stepped up to the Formula 1 support bill this season, having won the British Formula 4 race and finished second in a version of the series in 2022 and also finished second in GB3 last year.

After two rounds of the Formula 3 series, he earned six points, after finishing ninth in the Bahrain category and seventh in the Australian sprint race.

Meanwhile, Stenchhorn has already taken his first win in the category, winning the shorter race in Melbourne – where he has his only points finish to date.

The Norwegian, also 18, is competing in the Hitech-Pulse Eight races after stepping up from competing in the Formula Regional last season.

While still in the Middle East edition of that championship, his best performance came in FRECA (Formula European Regional Alpine Championship), where he finished in second place last season.

Formula 1 Commercial Operations Director Stephanie Carlin welcomed the duo to the team. Having previously headed up part of Carlin’s feeder chain program before it was bought by Rodin, she is well placed to help with driver development.

“We are pleased to announce that Alex and Martinius have joined our driver development programme,” said Carlin.

“They are exciting and promising young motorsport talents, with proven track records in the junior categories including this season’s Formula 3 Championship.

“The entire team is looking forward to welcoming Alex and Martinus to the McLaren family and we will work closely to support their development within our talent pipeline.”

In extension, Dunne added: “It is a great honor to join the McLaren Driver Development Programme, and I am looking forward to getting started with the team.

“McLaren provides me with the perfect environment to develop my skill set as I continue my motorsport journey. I am grateful for the support of Zac and Stephanie and am excited to meet the rest of the team at MTC.”

Steenshorn said he looks forward to continuing his development with the team.

“I am very excited to join the McLaren Driver Development Programme, and I am honored to now be part of the McLaren family. The team has a great history of developing talent, so I look forward to growing with the team and learning from their expertise as I continue my journey towards the pinnacle of motorsport,” he said.

“Thank you to Zach, Stephanie and the whole team for believing in me, I can’t wait to get started.”