Dunne aiming to "fight" for 2026 F2 driver's championship

Offaly Formula 2 racing star Alex Dunne remains firmly committed to his goal of becoming a F1 international motorsports driver.

Speaking to the Irish sports media digital website Balls.ie, the Clonbollogue native said he still had a "goal and plan in place to become a F1 driver", confirming that it was his decision to leave McLaren at the end of the 2025 F2 season.

"I am more than comfortable with my decision and looking forward, I can say that I am in an alright place," Dunne said.

Dunne also spoke of his pride in representing the "little county of Offaly" on his F2 travels with tricolour flags now a regular presence at international race tracks on F2 weekends.

"It is very, very cool to see such elevated support, particularly in my home village of Clonbullogue.

"There is a sign as you enter the village saying 'Alex Dunne lives here'. I think the support means more when it is coming from your home place. Clonbullogue is a very small village and so many living here would not have known much about motorsport or F2. Now that has changed and I am so proud to represent the little county of Offaly," Dunne stated.

During his F2 championship season, the Rodin Motorsport team member became the first Irish driver to win an F2 race, claiming pole position at both Bahrain and Italy Grand Prix races. He would eventually finish the F2 championship season in fifth position.

Dunne also participated in F1 practice sessions at both the Austrian and Italian Grand Prix races.

Being a member of the McLaren team, the Offaly native availed of the opportunity to speak with and receive advice from the motorsport team's chief drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

"Both drivers were very open and helpful to me and gave me an understanding of what it takes to become a F1 driver and I'll certainly take their advice with me moving forward," Dunne said.

Now the aim is to "fight for the F2 championship title" in 2026 and hopefully, he said, this will aid his progression to the F1 ranks.

"We are on the way, but even if you win the F2 championship, you can still be a long way off becoming a F1 driver. This is an important year and I need to maximise on the opportunities so I can keep my chances of becoming a F1 driver very high," Dunne added.