Alex Dunne finished today’s Qualifying in P2 behind Noel León and ahead of Nikola Tsolov. He completed a lap around the Red Bull Ring with a 1:15.673 and just over one tenth of a second slower than the Mexican on pole position.

The Rodin Motorsport driver continues his streak of top five Qualifying positions so far this season, but does he have a secret to his success?

“There wouldn’t be much point in it if I told you why, because then they would figure it out!” the Irishman said.

“I think it’s just trying to maximise every weekend, whether you’re in a position where you have the pace for pole or the pace for fifth, you need to make sure you put it where the car is capable of.”

Dunne building on solid foundations

Dunne had another great morning during Free Practice, ending the session in P3 with a 1:17.158 just behind Campos Racing’s Tsolov but beat him to a higher grid position for Sunday’s Feature Race.

“I think in general the pace has been pretty strong so it’s just about maximising it, to be honest, and making sure if you make any changes for the final run of Qualifying, you have to make sure they’re the right ones.

“All of it comes from Free Practice at the beginning of the weekend as well, making sure that you build into it properly and you find a good rhythm with yourself and with the car.

“So, I think the team and I have been doing that really well. We haven’t quite got pole yet but we’ve always been very close, so that’s the important thing that the last two weekends.

“I’ve been in the top three both times and two other guys have been in the top three from the same team so I’m maximising what I have.”

Pressure? What pressure! ?

Alex Dunne doesn't feel a thing! ?#F2 #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/4SDIAFYtq2

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) June 26, 2026

Dunne managed to get his fastest lap right after Tsolov would’ve taken P2 along with a string of other drivers, compared to León who did this whilst alone on the track at around the halfway mark.

Traffic can be an issue on shorter tracks like the Red Bull Ring and plays a factor in time attacks. Getting a tow seems to be one of the best ways to perform a great lap in the past, however Dunne has a differing opinion to this:

“It wasn’t too bad to be honest. I felt like normally in previous years, getting a slipstream was quite important but I did Run 1 by myself, and then I did my best lap behind Tsolov and actually doing it by myself was more beneficial.

“The balance of the car and the feeling I had in clean air, I feel a lot more comfortable than when I was following. So I think, something obviously has changed this year because it is quite rare that clean air is quicker here.

“I think Noel did a very good job of maximising that with a different strategy to everyone else and in the end, it paid off. That’s not something we necessarily thought about doing, but in the end it seemed to work so whatever has changed this weekend.

“This year, it seems like clean air was a lot more helpful than what it has been in the past.”

Alex Dunne improves, but he can't beat Noel León's effort ?

He slots into P2, just over a tenth off the time of the Mexican ?#F2 #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/R698mDmuxH

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) June 26, 2026

Hopes for Saturday’s Sprint Race

Because of the reverse grid on a Saturday Sprint Race, Dunne will start tomorrow from P9 and needs to gain at least one position to come away with any points.

Is he anticipating any positive result?

“We’ll have to wait and see, I think so far with our race pace we’ve been strong but we’ll have to wait and see.

“There’s a lot of people around us who are also very quick so if we can just bring a good couple of points home and make sure we have no penalties or anything going into Sunday, then that’s what I’d be happy with.”

Formula 2 will continue with the Sprint Race at 14:15 local time on Saturday the 27th of June and the Feature Race at 10:10 local time on Sunday the 28th of June.

Lights, camera, action ???

The talking is done, the chase is on ?#F2 #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/GHxQDmki2F

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) June 25, 2026

Image Credit – Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty