Alex Dunne: The champion Irish underdog aiming for Formula 1
- Published
Alex Dunne won the British F4 Championship as a rookie in 2022
"Ever since I was a little kid, the goal has been Formula 1. It is now one step closer."
Every young, up and coming driver dreams of making it to Formula 1, yet only a handful achieve that dream.
However, one teenager from Ireland has the belief he can make it to the pinnacle of motorsport by letting his ability shine through.
Alex Dunne has only been racing cars for two years but has made a big impression.
He blew everyone out of the water to win the British F4 championship in 2022 and almost claimed the GB3 Championship as a rookie the following year.
Despite these stellar performances, it looked as if he would have to watch on as those who have produced nowhere near the same level of results moved up the ladder onto the Formula 1 package.
Then came the Macau Grand Prix - one of the most prestigious street races anywhere in the world. In his first time racing a Formula 3 car, Dunne, who only got a late call-up, finished second in the qualifying race.
Although he crashed out of the Macau Grand Prix, he had announced himself with a stunning debut in Formula 3 machinery.
It may not have been a weekend that secured him a deal on the Formula 1 support series, with work constantly going on with his family and sponsors in the background, but it made a big impression.
"Macau definitely went better than expected, to be honest," Dunne said.
"You have to believe in yourself and believe in your ability, but I had really little experience in F3 or street tracks.
"I I said to my dad before we got there that, if I can manage to be in the top 10 I'll be over the moon, so the fact that I finished second in the first race, I was kind of in shock.
"I managed to adapt pretty quick and I'm glad that was recognised."
'A dream come true'
The 18-year-old will race for Dutch team MP Motorsport in Formula 3, which is the third tier of single-seater motorsport and races take place alongside the giants of Formula 1.
The deal came late in the off season, highlighted by the fact Dunne was the 28th of the 30 drivers to be announced for the season.
"It's going to be my first proper time racing with F1, which is something special," added Dunne.
"It's going to feel slightly weird to be racing on the on the same weekends as Formula 1 and not sitting home, watching it from the telly.
"I'm excited to get going and I'm really glad that we managed to get the opportunity to race in F3.
"There was a lot of work that went into it and the deal was very last minute. When my dad told me it was happening and I was over the moon.
"To be racing on the same weekends as Formula One is a dream come true."
Unlike many of the Formula 3 grid, Dunne is not affiliated with a Formula 1 team's academy
The last Formula 1 driver from the island of Ireland was Eddie Irvine way back in 2002. The closest anyone has been since was Adam Carroll a few years after Irvine's last Formula 1 race.
Unlike the majority of the grid, the Offaly driver is not signed to the academy of or affiliated with a Formula 1 team but Dunne is hoping he can catch the eye of Formula 1 teams while racing in the support series.
"I'm racing against the best junior drivers in the world," said Dunne.
"Racing on Grand Prix weekends, you are against all the big teams and Formula 1 teams will be watching the races.
"When we just started to start to do this properly, I think we always had the attitude to be racing with the best against the best."
For a driver who mas made a habit of making the most out of any opportunity that has come his way, Dunne could be a dark horse against some of the best junior drivers in the world.
However, the youngster is keen to play down any expectations.
"I wouldn't say I have a specific goal, aside from to do as well as possible," he said. "I think the test in Bahrain was very positive. The pace was roughly in in the top five most of the time.
"It's a rookie year, so it's going to be quite tough. There are a lot of very talented second-year drivers in the championship, but, realistically, if I do what I know I can then I don't see why we won't be running at the front.
"There's no point in having the a win one weekend, followed by two DNFs. If i just try and stay consistent and maximise what I can do, then hopefully we should be right at the sharp end."
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