Oscar Piastri replaced at Italian Grand Prix with Lando Norris getting new team-mate

Starlet Alex Dunne will race for McLaren for a second time this season in first practice at the Italian Grand Prix as he replaces Oscar Piastri. The 19-year-old will drive the championship-leading MCL39 on Friday at Monza after first getting a taste of Formula One action during practice at the Austrian Grand Prix in June.

Expectations are high surrounding Dunne's potential. He finished the session fourth in the timing charts earlier this summer in Austria. When competing at the Red Bull Ring, where he finished within a tenth of a second of Piastri, he became the first Irish driver to race at a Formula 1 weekend in over 22 years. Dunne, who races for Rodin Motorsport in F2, took to social media to comment on his second F1 outing.

He said on Instagram: "I'm super excited to be back for my second FP1 with McLaren in Monza this weekend. My first one in Austria was an extremely special day for me, but I think to do it again in Monza, which is a track that's so historic and prestigious, is definitely going to put a very big smile on my face.

"Really looking forward to it. Hopefully, I can build and improve on what was already a strong outing in Austria, and help Lando and Oscar as much as possible going into their weekend." Dunne currently sits fifth in the F2 championship standings having achieved two wins and six podiums in his first season.

He may have been a keen listener toNorris' previous hints that he may call time on his F1 career should he capture the world title. While ground was lost in his chase of Piastri after retiring from the Dutch Grand Prix, with the Australian now 34 points ahead of his team-mate with nine races remaining, the Brit admitted he's enjoyed this season thanks to his consistent winning.

"I'm enjoying this season a lot more now because I'm winning - than the last few seasons when we were not winning," the 25-year-old said. "That's just because you want success and you want to be on top. It's better for everyone in any sport you ever do."

Norris referenced Nico Rosberg's decision to retire from the sport after claiming his maiden world title in 2016 when he beat out Lewis Hamilton, adding: "You're always going to be happier when you're winning than when you're not. I think it's hard to do when you're not winning. That's why probably sometimes it's good to go out when you've won, like Nico."

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When he was pressed whether retirement would be a realistic option for him should he become a world champion this season, Norris responded: "No, I don't know. Maybe. Maybe. I might not be here next year. You never know." Norris will hope for a different outcome than at Zandvoort at Monza on Sunday as the fight for the title between the McLaren duo continues.