2023 GB3 runner-up Alex Dunne claimed a stunning maiden FIA Formula 2 race win in the Bahrain Feature Race on Sunday, holding off a charge from fellow GB3 alumni Luke Browning to take victory in just his second F2 weekend.
Rodin’s McLaren-backed driver Dunne had qualified fourth on the grid, but moved up to second early on and took the lead on lap seven with a move on Leonardo Fornaroli at turn one.
Clad with the softer option tyre, Dunne was able to go longer than most of his rivals in the first stint, and emerged from the pits in second place. He held off a brief challenge from Victor Martins, and then reclaimed the lead when Arvid Lindblad pitted.
With fresher harder tyres, Dunne extended a massive lead over the second half of the contest, and claimed victory in just his third F2 race with an eight second margin to the rest of the field.
"I have no words, to be honest!" Dunne said at the end of the contest. " I knew coming into the weekend our pace was strong, all the race runs we did in testing were generally quite positive. Of course, maybe I didn't expect this, but I knew the pace was there to do something good, but maybe not this good! I was a bit disappointed after yesterday, I wasn't really happy with the job I did, so I think today I've redeemed myself and bounced back really well."
Despite running as low as 10th early on, 2022 GB3 champion Luke Browning powered through the pack to take second place for Hitech, with the Williams Academy driver taking his second podium of the year. Both Browning and Dunne have 25 points in this year's F2 standings, just a point away from early championship leader Fornaroli, with Dunne ahead owing to his victory.
There was further success for GB3 graduates, with 2023 champion Callum Voisin taking second place in the FIA F3 Feature Race.