Alex Dunne drops to fifth in F2 Championship standings after ninth place finish in Hungaroring feature race
However, Ireland's Alex Dunne was brought back down to earth from Saturday's sprint race podium after struggling to a ninth place finish, having started the race in that same position on the grid.
The race got underway with a rolling start in slightly tricky conditions on a partially wet track, as Stanek held position ahead of Fornaroli and Crawford.
A fierce midfield battle emerged behind them, involving Dunne (Rodin Motorsport), Joshua Duerksen (AIX Racing), Oliver Goethe (MP Motorsport), Arvid Lindblad, Pepe Marti (Campos), and Richard Verschoor (MP).
Early drama came on lap 6 as Amaury Cordeel's stricken Rodin Motorsport car brought out a Virtual Safety Car (VSC), the first of two on the day with racing resuming on the eighth lap.
Lindblad had made strong early progress on the medium compound tyres, jumping up to fifth with a bold move on Duerksen and Goethe, the latter of whom later ran wide trying to re-pass Lindblad and also dropped behind Dunne and Duerksen.
The Virtual Safety Car was signalled once again with Victor Martins stopping his ART Grand Prix on track at the exit of turn 12.
Green flag conditions returned on lap 11, and looking to get the jump on Lindblad, Goethe ran wide at lurn 12, dropping him to eighth behind Duerksen and Dunne.
Dunne and Duerksen then went wheel-to-wheel down the main straight, with the Irishman taking sixth from the AIX Racing driver, despite a lockup into turn 2.
But that was as good as it got for the medium compound-shod Offaly racer as strategy shaped the race, with early pit stops for the soft-tyre runners seeing Fornaroli leapfrog Stanek by staying out longer.
Lindblad and his Campos teammate Josep Maria Marti led for a stint on the alternate strategy, but their challenge faded as they struggled to warm up their tyres post-pit stop. Verschoor capitalised, climbing to fifth with a solid strategy call but a poor pit stop for Dunne saw him drop down the field.
The race came to a head in the final laps, as Crawford attempted to challenge Stanek for second, locking up into turn 1 and losing momentum, allowing Fornaroli to build a decisive gap. He crossed the line 7.2 seconds clear to nullify his penalty in a dominant win, as Invicta celebrated their one-two.
Behind the podium finishers, Luke Browning claimed fourth, with Verschoor fifth and Lindblad narrowly fending off Dino Beganovic for sixth. Goethe, Dunne and Marti rounded out the points.
Fornaroli's victory marks his third consecutive weekend with a win after taking sprint honours at Silverstone and Spa and extends his lead at the top of the standings to 17 points on 154. Crawford has moved up to second on 137 points, with Verschoor now on 135, Browning fourth on 125 points, while Dunne rounds out the top five on 124.
The series will now see a month's break with the drivers returning for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza for round 11 on September 05-07, the first of four remaining race weekends.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
40 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
All-Ireland Camogie Final player ratings: Dolan a leading light but Looney tormented by red mist
How they rated — Cork Amy Lee: How she didn't get a free when Caoimhe Kelly pushed the Cork goalkeeper and then pointed for Galway is anyone's guess. Lee may be more frustrated about not getting a hurley to Mairead Dillon's strike for the goal. Not that she was necessarily at fault either. 7 Libby Coppinger: Lined up on Caoimhe Kelly from the start. Fouled Aoife Donohue for a free that Galway converted to go five clear in the 51st minute. A strong performer overall though. Used her possessions wisely with assured distribution. 7 Pamela Mackey: Trotted over to mark Carrie Dolan when the Galway captain and number nine took her place at full-forward. Dolan had a powerful game, though Mackey remained a tireless performer, holding the sliotar at full-time as she attempted to create one last meaningful play. 6 Meabh Cahalane: The Cork captain cleared plenty of ball and thundered into a series of tackles, setting the tone at times in a bruising encounter. She made a beeline from the off for Ailish O'Reilly who picked off two first-half points and another in the second-half. 7 Aoife Healy: In a game of inches, her fumbled collection from a 55th-minute hand-pass was costly. She was replaced shortly after. It was a tough day having been handed the task initially of marking Aoife Donohue who starred for Galway. 6 Laura Treacy: Lost no face in defeat. Did Trojan work at the centre of Cork's defence and won two second-half frees that were converted just when the need was greatest. No surprise to see her go down with cramp late on. 7 Laura Hayes: A powerful performer at the back for Cork. Won a crucial 13th-minute free that was pointed, scored one herself, had a shot at goal saved and, overall, defended ferociously, throwing herself body first into tackle after tackle. Her 48th-minute point was the score of the game. Soon after, she took a big hit and simply soldiered on. 8 Hannah Looney: Cork's dual star will be tormented by her act of petulance in first-half stoppage time, lashing out at Annmarie Starr and leaving the referee with little decision but to issue a red card. Her and Ashling Thompson had been more than holding their own at midfield. 5 Ashling Thompson: Hugely influential in the first-half, covering the hard yards, as she always does. Scored two points and helped set up another score. Booked for a silly 29th-minute foul and the free was converted. Her influence waned as the game wore on, perhaps to be expected at 34 in a rip-roaring contest. Struck a costly wide late on. 7 Emma Murphy: Started all six of Cork's Championship games, even if she was a late addition here, wearing number 24. Began at wing-forward with Derval Higgins tracking her. Struck a point early in the first and second halves and was eventually substituted. 7 Orlaith Cahalane: Started in the inside line with Shauna Healy keeping tabs. Got through a tonne of work and was among those who dug deep in the second-half, feeding Laura Hayes for her excellent point. The goal was a thing of beauty late on, from how she raced onto the diagonal pass to the shot execution. 7.5 Saoirse McCarthy: Brilliant in the semi-final and will be remembered for the shift she put in during the second-half here. Scored three points from frees, one of which she won herself. Won dirty ball, linked up the play. Time after time. A certain All-Star will be some consolation. 8 Katrina Mackey: Will inevitably have nightmares about the penalty miss. She helped create it, feeding Amy O'Connor with a sumptuous pass, but the strike was tame and easily saved. Gave her all and won a hard fought free that was converted in the 23rd minute. But was the first Cork player replaced. 6 Sorcha McCartan: A powerful performer for Cork on her day but this wasn't hers. Which Galway's Rachael Hanniffy can take some credit for. A hero in the closing minutes of last year's final, she made a 41st minute exit here. 5.5 Amy O'Connor: Cork's prolific scorer came into the final with a hushed up hamstring injury and never really got going. Won the penalty and converted three frees but was eventually replaced in the second-half. 6 SUBS 5 Clodagh Finn had an immediate impact, winning a free that was converted but all of the five changes were attack minded and none of them got on the scoresheet. Kate Wall will be frustrated with her challenge on Carrie Dolan that led to the Galway matchwinner. HOW SWEET IT IS: Galway players Carrie Dolan, behind, and Mairead Dillion celebrate after their side's victory in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship final match between Cork and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile How they rated — GALWAY Sarah Healy: Did well to get down and save Katrina Mackey's penalty, even if the shot lacked a little venom. Saved early in the second-half from Laura Hayes too. Used her long puck prowess to get her restarts away well. Couldn't be blamed for the late Cahalane missile. 8 Shauna Healy: Picked up Orlaith Cahalane from the off. That was a terrific battle that lasted the duration. The quality of the delivery left her up against it for the late goal. Conceded a second-half free, which was converted, for charging, but overall was excellent. 7.5 Rachael Hanniffy: Given the task of tracking Sorcha McCartan's movements and met the Down native's power and aggression head on. McCarthy didn't get a shot away while on the pitch and was eventually taken off. 7.5 Roisin Black: Any worries about a lack of match sharpness after a late return to duty this year were unfounded. Picked up Katrina Mackey and had a powerful game. The foul on Clodagh Finn for a free that Cork knocked over was a rare lowlight. Getting out in front, grabbing possession and clearing in the 44th minute summed up her all action style. 8 Siobhan Gardiner: Not initially named to start but wore number 21 and replaced Emma Helebert. Lasted the duration and deserved to as she did a decent job on Saoirse McCarthy when making her in the first-half. 7 Ciara Hickey: Sometimes the spare defender, sometimes the tight marker, depending on the situation. Her distribution wasn't always perfect but she moved plenty of ball forward and up the pitch. Still going strong with a brilliant block on Ashling Thompson in the dying minutes before being eventually rested. 7.5 Dervla Higgins: Involved in Galway's first score, in the third minute. Three minutes later, she blocked an Emma Murphy shot, setting the tone for a strong performance. Will look back with satisfaction on a lionheart display. 7.5 Annmarie Starr: Put in a serious shift in the Galway engine room. Right in the thick of it next to Aoife Donohue when the penalty was conceded so dodged a bullet there. 7 Olwen Rabbitte: Wore number 11 but lined up at midfield beside Annmarie Starr. Tried to string the play together, with mixed results. Eventually taken off with her tank apparently empty in the final 10 minutes. 6.5 Niamh Mallon: Galway's top scorer from play beforehand added just a single point though it was an important one to get them off the mark in the second-half. Clipped a wide too but brought industry and experience to her wing position. 7. Mairead Dillon: Capped her maiden final with a brilliantly taken goal in the 14th minute, a low and sound finish that she will never forget. Her impact all year has been vital as Galway coped with the absence of four key players from the 2024 final team. 7 Aoife Donohue: Scored the first point of the game - setting the tone for a thrilling performance. Her second point came after Cork had wasted their penalty attempt, so was timely. She fed Mairead Dillon for the goal and won two other frees that resulted in points. 8 Ailish O'Reilly: Hugely experienced performer who delivered yet again for Galway. It wasn't the 0-5 she sniped in the semi-final but three points on final day is good going. Hawk-Eye, bizarrely, was required for her first point which flew over the black spot. 7.5 Carrie Dolan: Began the game at full-forward but popped up all around the field. Didn't score from play - all seven points came from frees - but was still hugely influential. She was fouled for the red card and won two vital second-half frees that she converted, including the matchwinner. 9 Caoimhe Kelly: The teenager appeared to push Cork goalkeeper Amy Lee before scoring a 22nd minute point, a bad call in what was eventually a one-point game. Had a limited impact other than that and was taken off early in the second-half after a wide. 6 SUBS - 7 Cathal Murray was criticised for failing to act quickly enough with subs last year. He only used one until the 53rd minute this time but Sabina Rabbitte, who came on in the 41st minute, did have a big impact. She tore into the play and was unlucky that more of her work didn't turn to scores.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Premier League cult hero, 40, charges onto touchline to berate EFL fourth official despite not being on coaching staff
Fans reacted to the moment on social media REF RAGE Premier League cult hero, 40, charges onto touchline to berate EFL fourth official despite not being on coaching staff PREMIER LEAGUE cult hero Valon Behrami raged at an EFL fourth official during Watford's defeat to Charlton. The Hornets stumbled out of the blocks in the Championship as they lost their opening game to the newly promoted Addicks. Advertisement 7 Valon Behrami raged at the fourth official after Watford were denied a penalty Credit: x 7 He was named assistant sporting director at Watford in July Credit: Getty 7 Behrami played for the Hornets between 2015 and 2017 Credit: Action Images - Reuters Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw Play via Dream Team's app or website today! Harvey Knibbs netted a last-gasp goal to give Nathan Jones' side a fairytale return to the second division. The result could have been different if the hosts had been awarded a penalty after Thomas Kaminski brought down Nestory Irankunda. Penalty shouts from Watford fans and players were waved away by referee Stephen Martin. The decision left the hosts fuming but no more so than former player and now assistant sporting director Behrami. Advertisement READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS LEFT TO RU Fuming ex-Premier League boss gives team talk on PITCH after embarrassing loss The former Swiss international could be seen berating the fourth official on the touchline. The moment was made even more remarkable as he is not a part of the coaching staff and manager Paulo Pezzolano was not involved. Fans were even taken aback by the moment as they reacted on social media. One posted: "Never seen a non-coaching staff member as animated as Valon Behrami today." Advertisement SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN A second commented: "Some things never change haha." A third wrote: "He will be the new head coach in place by November." EFL club launch new badge like 'lion with lollipop and first aid box' Behrami, 40, played for Watford for two seasons between 2015 and 2017. Advertisement He made 49 appearances for the Hornets without scoring a single goal. One match would stick out in fans' memories as he puked all over the pitch during the clash with Everton. But it was West Ham that brought him to the English shores back in 2008. 7 He first played in England for West Ham Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Advertisement 7 He scored five times for the Hammers Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd The Hammers signed the midfielder from Lazio for £5million and he became a key part of the team. Behrami did have his time in the East End disrupted by injury as he suffered an ACL in 2009. In total, he played 63 times for West Ham and scored five goals, including a winner against Sunderland in November 2008. Advertisement Between playing at Upton Park and Vicarage Road, he had spells at Fiorentina, Napoli and Hamburg. After leaving England for the final time as a player, he had spells at Udinese, Sion, Genoa and Brescia before retiring in 2022. He was appointed as Watford's assistant sporting director in July. 7 Behrami spent two years at Napoli during his career Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Advertisement
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Hallgrímsson facing Brady blow after calf injury rules veteran out of World Cup qualifiers
Ireland's reigning Player of the Year Robbie Brady looks certain to miss next month's opening World Cup qualifiers after tearing his calf muscle. Brady revived his international career following the arrival of Heimir Hallgrímsson just over a year ago but the manager will have to plan without the left-sided player for the visit of Hungary to Lansdowne Road on September 6 and trip to Armenia four days later. The 33-year-old was sidelined for Preston North End's opening Championship fixture on Saturday, a 1-1 draw against QPR, after suffering the injury in the final pre-season friendly against Manchester City. A precise prognosis is being awaited but the initial expectation is a layoff lasting at least four weeks, potentially up to six. Brady's only two absences during Hallgrímsson's 10-game reign were last November due to injury but the likelihood now is the manager welcoming back his set-piece specialist for the October matches against Portugal away and Armenia home at the earliest. Brady scored and assisted in the Uefa Nations League comeback 2-1 win over Finland last October in Helsinki, earning the Icelander the first victory of his reign. 'Robbie got injured in the last game,' said Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom ahead of the season opener. 'He did his calf so he'll be out for a couple of weeks. We'll see how we are then. Hopefully, we get the boys back as quickly as possible.' Misfortune for Brady should consolidate Ryan Manning's place in the team for the visit of Dominik Szoboszlai's Hungary. Manning has been used in Ireland's matches further up the pitch on the left side but he was a steady deputy in the last game against Luxembourg when called upon after only 21 minutes to replace the injured Brady. The Galwayman proved to be Southampton's game-changer on Saturday, sprung from the bench against newly-promoted Wrexham to produce a stunning free-kick equaliser before setting up the stoppage-time winner. A fingertip save by his compatriot Gavin Bazunu at 1-0 equally contributed to the turnaround.
