Alex Dunne fighting to make “dream come true” this year in quest to put Ireland back on Formula One grid

Written by Teagan Strachan, edited by Rohan Brown

Credit: Formula 2

After a fluctuating year of both impressive and unstable results for then-rookie Alex Dunne, the Irish-born driver is lining up to contest his second season in the Formula 2 championship this year.  

In a pre-season fuelled by improvement and strong team relationships, Dunne will continue on his journey in introducing a new wave of Irish drivers to the Formula One grid.

With the Australian Grand Prix weekend underway, despite new Alpine team colours, the Irishman is also looking to push forward into 2026 with familiar faces backed once again by Rodin Motorsport. 

Credit: Formula 2

In a sport that thrives off physical and mental intensity, relationships and a strong team environment. These all remain crucial in a young driver’s success in junior series. In a race (quite literally) to the top, a team synergy ensures rapid improvement, transparent communication and an invaluable sense of support.

Dunne is no exception, and this very philosophy has played a large role in his decision to remain with the Rodin camp for the upcoming season. Relationships remain paramount in his career, guiding his ability to produce strong performances on race weekend.

“I think relationships in motorsport are a very, very big thing in success and I think, now, I have a really, really strong relationship with the team,” said Dunne.

“I think that naturally makes you want to go out and do a better job, and then the team want the best for you as well. So, I think staying with Rodin was definitely the best choice and I'm really, really happy with how well we work with everyone because it kind of feels a bit more like a family environment.”

Whilst a new teammate could have impacted the team’s chemistry this season, him and his new teammate are far from strangers, allowing for the positive team environment at Rodin to continue.

Dunne will race alongside former McLaren Driver Development Programme teammate Martinius Stenhorne in 2026 as he steps up to F2 this season. Both removed their papaya colours late last year, but their long-time friendship has remained strong.

“I’m very good friends with Martinius,” said Dunne.

“It's cool to have a strong friendship within the team, and I think we'll push each other forward.”

After a strong performance with the team last season, relationships are not the only catalyst in the decision to remain with Rodin. Dunne accumulated eight podiums (including two wins) and two pole positions, to finish fifth in the drivers’ standings last season.

Improvements and takeaways from 2025 have set him up for a smooth transition into 2026, hence, it is only natural that he believes little change is needed for this year:

“I think the biggest thing for me is probably consistency. I think in some scenarios I could have been a little bit more consistent,” said Dunne.

“Our pace was always there. You know, I think realistically, if nothing weird was happening during the weekend, we were always in the fight for top three in the feature race or the win even as well.

“Last year it was just a couple of little things that needed to be ironed out and some things that could have been better in different scenarios. I don't think it's necessarily one area. It's just naturally focusing on all the little areas constantly, just trying to be better and better and improving in all the places that I can. I don't think there's anything that stands out.”

Credit: Formula 2

For the Irishman, a chance to race again in 2026 means more to him than just a seat in Formula One, it is an opportunity to represent Ireland as a driver on the grid at the highest level.

A driver had not flown the flag of the Republic of Ireland in a Formula One race weekend since Ralph Firman in 2003, with Dunne breaking the drought at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix.

When given the chance to participate in free practice 1 for McLaren last year, Dunne was impressed by the support for his home country.

“It's very, very special to have the opportunity to represent Ireland, considering there's not very many of us. You know, I think it's quite a small country, so I think if I could put Ireland back on the map in F1, that would be a dream come true,” said Dunne.

“I did my first FP1 in Austria and I drove out of the pit lane, and I saw all the Irish flags in the grandstand at T1… you don't get to experience that very often. So it's quite special.”

As the first race of the season closes in, Dunne will have the opportunity to continue his standout momentum from last season. As he transitions away from his position as a rookie, the ability to convert this momentum into consistent results could allow for the long-awaited return of Ireland into Formula One.