Irish teen Dunne steps up to Formula 2 with Rodin
Ireland's Alex Dunne will race in Formula 2 in 2025 to take a step closer to his dream of reaching Formula 1.
The 19-year-old will drive for Rodin Motorsport in Formula 2, which is the category below Formula 1 and races alongside motorsport's premier series.
After an impressive rise up the motorsport ladder, Dunne was signed in May as a Development Driver by McLaren, who won the Formula 1 constructors' title in 2024.
Dunne secured two podiums while driving for MP Motorsport in his first season in Formula 3.
"I'm looking forward to the upcoming season and thankful for everyone's support in getting me to this stage – I can't wait to hit the ground running," Dunne said.
He drove for Rodin Motorsport in the post-season Formula 2 test for Rodin in Abu Dhabi in December and he posted the third-fastest lap on the final day at the Yas Marina circuit.
His team-mate at Rodin will be Australia's Christian Mansell, who had a best finish of fifth in Formula 3.
"Alex's talent, dedication, and passion for racing align perfectly with our team's values and ambitions," said Rodin's motorsport sporting director and team manager Benn Huntingford.
"We are confident that he will make a significant impact in the upcoming season and know that he is capable of enjoying a really great season with the team."
Stepping up to Formula 2 would be 'really nice' - Dunne
The champion Irish underdog aiming for Formula 1
Dunne dominated the 2022 British F4 Championship - a title previously won by McLaren's Grand Prix winner Lando Norris - and was runner-up in the GB3 Championship before his graduation to Formula 3 this year.
He was also second in the Italian F4 championship in 2022 behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes' Formula 1 team in 2025.
Dunne is aiming to become the first driver from the island of Ireland to race in Formula 1 since four-time Grand Prix winner Eddie Irvine, whose last season was with Jaguar in 2002.
Adam Carroll, from Portadown, was the last driver to race in Formula 2 in 2005 and 2006, a period in which he was test driver for BAR Honda's Formula 1 team.
In addition to his Formula 2 commitments, Dunne will be reserve driver for McLaren's Formula E team and will drive for the team in the rookie practice in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on 13 February.
Rodin finished eighth in the teams' standings in the 2024 Formula 2 season with Japan's Ritomo Miyata and Barbados driver Zane Maloney, who finished fourth in the drivers' championship with two wins and seven podiums.
The 2025 Formula 2 season consists of 28 races across 14 rounds, starting in Australia on 15 March and concluding in Abu Dhabi on 7 December.
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