After a dominant Feature Race win in Bahrain, Alex Dunne carried this momentum into the F2 Saudi Arabian GP with a P3 finish in the Sprint Race. The McLaren junior headed into Jeddah with a great amount of confidence, and knew he had what it takes to replicate similar results again.
Speaking in the post-Sprint Race press conference attended by Pit Debrief, the Irishman reflected on his performance in what he described was a “relaxed” race for him.
A “pretty relaxed” F2 Saudi Arabian GP Sprint Race for Dunne
Having qualified P6 for the Feature Race on Sunday, the reverse grid format saw Dunne start the Sprint Race in P5. Reflecting on his race, Dunne admitted his only frustration during the race was a slow launch off the line. However, the Irishman kept his cool and stayed focus on his own race until the overtaking opportunities arrived.
“I mean, my race was pretty relaxed, I would say. Not really a whole lot was going on, to be honest. You know, my start wasn’t particularly good. I think Arvid had already cleared me before we’d got to turn one. So I think if there was anything for me to be unhappy about in terms of the race, it was probably the start.”
“And then, yeah, I think after that, not really a lot happened, to be honest. I was kind of just doing my own thing, waiting to see what would happen in front. And then I think Gabi [Gabriele Minì] and Roman [Stanek] started fighting, and I overtook both of them in the straight before turn one, and then that was pretty much it.”
Eyeing strong performance in Feature Race
Despite missing out on a better qualifying lap due to the red flag, Dunne felt his weekend was off to a good start. With the blistering race pace the Irishman showcased in Bahrain, Dunne hopes a better launch off the line will help deliver another strong result for him.
“I was just kind of chilling by myself until the end of the race, trying to catch these boys. But no, I think overall, I would say the weekend has started relatively strong.”
“And, you know, I think in qualy before the red flag, I was a couple of attempts up on what was my best lap. But, you know, these things happen, and I’m sure other people are in a similar position to me as well.”
“So I think overall, the pace has been good. You know, looking from the feature race in Bahrain, the race pace is strong as well. So if we can move in the direction we’re going and have a better start tomorrow, then hopefully we can have a good result.”
Anticipated for more during last three laps after safety car
After DAMS’ Jak Crawford was spun around by PREMA’s Gabriele Minì and failed to get going again, the safety car was deployed, immediately neutralising the field. After getting caught up in a chaotic Sprint Race in Bahrain, Dunne joked that he did not “want to go through that again”.
“Yes, but I think, I mean, realistically, I don’t think you can get more action than what I had in the sprint race in Bahrain. And I don’t really want to go through that again. So no, I think I was kind of hoping, to be honest, that it was just going to be chilled to the flag.”
Pleased with his P3 finish, the Irishman explained he was content playing it safe, securing solid points and a podium for his championship charge, rather than enduring another unpredictable race.
“You know, I didn’t really want to have a crazy fight and then things go wrong. You know, I think at that point, I was pretty happy with the race for points. It was pretty good as well. I probably expected a little bit more, but at the same time, realistically speaking, there’s only two overtaking opportunities at this track.”
“So I think, you know, through sector one, the dirty air is quite strong, and it’s really difficult, relatively difficult to stay close. So no, I think the race kind of panned out how I expected.”
Importance of simulator work for a track like Jeddah
Unlike F1, these young-drivers only have one 45-minute practice session to acclimatise to a track. Echoing similar thoughts to Campos Racing’s Arvid Lindblad and Pepe Martí, the Irishman emphasised on the importance of preparation, when heading to a track like Jeddah’s.
“Yeah, I think they’ve covered everything, to be honest. And I think when you come to a track like this, preparation is very important. On the sim, going through things with the team, looking through previous races as well, things like that, to try and see what you can pick up on. And of course, as Pepe [Martí] said, we don’t have three FPs [free practices] like F1.”
“We have one 45-minute practise session, also on a harder tyre compound than what we’re allowed to use in qualy. And usually, you start the session on higher fuel as well. So the first laps of FP [free practice] are irrelevant anyway. So yeah, I think realistically, you have to maximise what you can on a sim. But I think that’s very different for every other team.”
Simulator replications varies, but adaptability is still the key
Dunne highlighted the difference in each teams simulators, which they heavily utilise prior to a race weekend. The Irishman further emphasised the importance of maximising the time they have in free practice, even if only part of that learning carries over the different sessions.
“Some teams have very, very good sims [simulators] and can get very close to what they can replicate for real life. And some other teams, the sims are not so good and probably not very useful for what you can do in terms of prep. So I think it varies a lot from one team to the next.
“So realistically, the main thing is just maximising your track time in FP. But at the same time, what you learn in FP is you only take half of it forward to qualifying because of the track evolution and the tyre compound change as well. So yeah, it is a tricky one.But I think all of us seem to be adapting relatively well.”
Jeddah experience with Formula E
Alongside his F2 commitments, the McLaren Junior is a reserve and development driver for the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team this year. Just two months ago, the Irishman took place in the Formula E rookie test right here in Jeddah. Dunne reflected on the opportunity, despite the track being distinctively different.
“Yeah, I think, I mean, first of all, I think on the FE side of things, I don’t really think, I mean, the track layout was completely different to what we’ve had this week. I think the only thing we did that was the same as this track is turn one on last corner, I believe. So I think in terms of that, you know, I wasn’t really able to learn the track ahead of the race weekend in the FE car.”
“So, but yeah, you know, still a cool experience, of course, you know, to do something else as part of McLaren and be the NEOM McLaren reserve and development driver is pretty cool as well. So it was a very cool experience for sure.”
Potentially bidding farewell to Jeddah after 2027
With the future of the Saudi Arabian GP looking at a location change, we will be bid farewell to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in 2027. Reflecting on his experience at the track, Dunne likened the thrill of racing in Jeddah to the iconic Macau circuit.
“And then, yeah, I think, of course, you know, this is our, or my first time racing at Jeddah. And I think so far, I would say alongside very closely to Macau, it’s probably the coolest racetrack I’ve ever been at.”
“I think sector one is unbelievable. And I think if you get it right, there’s no feeling quite like it.”
“I think everybody would like the track to stay” – Dunne on Jeddah remaining on calendar
As the longest and fastest street circuit on the F2 calendar, Jeddah stands out for its high-speed nature and tight walls. Dunne expressed hope that the track will remain on the schedule despite the expected shift to Qiddiya after 2027.
“And I think the only other track that’s ever given me that feeling is Macau. So I think if, I mean, you said it’s being off the calendar, right? So I think that’s, okay, well, hopefully not. I think ideally, at least in my opinion, and I’m sure every other driver up and down the paddock from F2, F1, F1 Academy, so on, I think everybody would like the track to stay.”
“I think the track is really, really cool. And also provides pretty good racing as well. You know, like I said earlier, there’s only really two overtaking opportunities, but those two overtaking opportunities seems to work relatively well. And yeah, you know, like I said, sector one is unbelievable.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever driven a sector that makes me feel like that in the car. So definitely it would be very upsetting to not get the opportunity to drive there again.”
Approach to T1 attacking and defending
When asked by Pit Debrief on drivers’ approach to attacking and defending in T1, Dunne shared similar consensus on the opportunities the three DRS zones give drivers the opportunity to overtake.
“Yeah, I mean, I think they’ve covered it all, to be honest. I think, as Arvid said, there’s a triple DRS zone leading to turn one. And also that, the last corner is relatively slow speed. So the dirty air isn’t exactly that high.”
“So if you’ve had a good run through [Turn] 22 and you’re strong in 27, you can be quite close to the car in front. And I think if they don’t have DRS, then they’re kind of a sitting duck, to be honest.”
Backing both Lindblad and Martí’s claims, Dunne praised the overtaking opportunities and highlighted an important moment in the race for him, where he overtook Minì and Stanek into T1. The Irishman believes the track is a perfect balance of entertainment, thrill and raceability.
“And it’s relatively easy to get past. I think when I made the move for P4, Gabi [Gabriele Minì] in front didn’t have DRS and Roman [Stanek] did. And Roman went one way and I went the other.”
“And I managed to overtake both of them into T1. So, yeah, I think it’s cool that we have such good racing in a track like this.”
“The quickest street circuit in the world, we’re racing through walls, but at the same time, there’s a couple of long straights with good overtaking opportunities and a few DRS zones. So I think this track really has a good combination for racing and enjoyment.”
2025 has been good thus far
Following Dunne’s maiden Feature Race win in Bahrain, Rodin Motorsport’s Team Manager Benn Huntingford had high praise for the McLaren Junior. When asked if he has met his expectations so far, Dunne recognised the potential he has for achieving great results this year.
“I would say, well, I mean, I knew that the potential was there to have some good results. But at the same time, you know, as a rookie, you probably don’t expect them to be that good.”
“I think last year in F3 was probably one of the more difficult years I’ve had in recent years. And but I think, you know, realistically, just because we’ve had one difficult year in F3, you know, doesn’t necessarily mean that I’ve forgotten how to race.”
The Irishman credited Rodin’s efforts in providing him with a strong car, which has given him the boost, following a hard-fought season in F3 last year.
“You know, I think up until then, the years I’d had previous to that were pretty strong. And I think this year is kind of similar to how it was for me in GB3 and F4. And so it’s kind of nice to be back to that level. But, you know, of course, at the same time, I think the Rodin car is really, really good.”
Confident in Rodin and his abilities
With a Feature Race win and a podium under his belt, Dunne reflected on his strong start to his 2025 campaign so far. Acknowledging his consistency thus far, the McLaren Junior remains aware there is still room for improvement in certain areas. Heading into the Feature Race with the championship lead, Dunne’s confidence is evident as he highlighted they’re “in a good place” moving forward.
“Obviously, we saw last year with Zane [Maloney] that he won both races in Bahrain. And I was able to continue that on this year, winning the feature race. So, you know, for sure, the pace in the car is strong.”
“I think I’m driving at a pretty good level. And, you know, I’ve qualified in the top six in all three rounds so far. So the pace is there. And there’s just a couple of things from my side that I think I can still do a little bit better. And if we get on top of those, then I think we’ll be in a really good place.”
“But so far, yeah, we’ve had a good start. I think after today, I’m leading the championship as well. So yeah, we’re in a good place.”
Starting in P6 for the Feature Race later today, Dunne will be a driver to keep an eye out on a charge for another podium finish at the Saudi Arabian GP.
