Rodin’s Alex Dunne says it’s not “outrageous” to think about winning Sunday’s FIA Formula 2 Feature Race in Miami, despite starting from ninth on the grid thanks to a penalty.
The Irishman qualified fourth fastest in Friday’s Qualifying session, but drops five places as punishment for causing a collision with team mate Martinius Stenshorne in the Feature Race in Australia.
Dunne, 20, made up several places in Saturday’s Sprint Race to finish third, and was ready to pick up the pieces had lead duo Nikola Tsolov and Laurens Van Hoepen tangled during in their last lap battle for victory.
Our first podium in Miami and North America ?
? @NikolaTsolov
? Laurens van Hoepen
? @alexdunneracing #F2 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/9tO3CbbsKk— Formula 2 (@Formula2) May 2, 2026
“Of course it’s going to be very difficult, but I think it’s definitely do-able.” Dunne said. “I think a lot of the race is going to be down to the super-soft stint.”
The Alpine Academy Driver revealed that his race will be further compromised by being behind team mate Stenshorne, meaning the Norwegian driver, who starts third, will get first call on when to make his mandatory pit-stop.
“I think how well I manage the super-soft stint is going to play a big part in how the rest of my race goes, but if I can do that well, I’d say we’re in with a good shout,” he said.
Dunne “happy enough” with second podium finish
The Rodin driver said his Sprint Race in Miami was a “carbon copy” of his Sprint in Melbourne, where he also finished third.
“Overall, I’m happy. The pace was really strong, I think particularly the last five or six laps, when I started pushing more and more, the pace was really good,” he said.
Dunne started the reverse-grid race seventh, but launched himself up to fifth on the opening lap, before moving past Nico Varrone and Josh Durksen in the closing stages, before reeling in the leading pair on the last lap.
LAP 19 / 23
Alex gets it Dunne ??
After a few laps of trying, he finally gets the move done and is now P3 ?#F2 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/y6GYvb4iv9
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) May 2, 2026
There was a small chance of stealing one or both positions at the final corner, but Dunne settled for third as the top three crossed the line almost as one.
Ahead of the race, there had been concerns over how much the high temperatures in Miami would affect the Pirelli tyres the teams and drivers use.
But Dunne said it was lower than expected, given the conditions.
“I was managing behind everyone at the beginning of the race, but I think nothing more than you normally would,” he explained, adding that he decided to look after his rubber whilst remaining close enough to challenge late on.
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