Clonbullogue’s Alex Dunne won his first Formula 2 race of the season in Azerbaijan to move firmly into title contention.
The 20-year-old, who is an Alpine Junior driver, dominated the race to move into third place in the standings and is just eight points behind championship leader Rafael Camara.
In the sprint race earlier on Saturday, Dunne had picked up his seventh podium of the season as he finished third behind race winner Dino Beganvic and Laurens van Hoepen.
Dunne, who won two races in his rookie campaign last season, said he was “super, super happy” to get his first win of the year.
“I feel like it’s been forever since I last won a race so to do it in the fashion today – getting the double podium today with the result in the Sprint and getting a 1-2 for the team is the cherry on top,” he said.
Red Bull junior driver Nikola Tsolov, who led the championship heading to Baku, was involved in a multi-car accident on the 11th lap, with Joshua Duerksen, Cian Shields, John Bennett and Rafael Villagomez also involved.
Dunne controlled the race from the restart and also set the fastest lap of the race to claim an additional bonus point, while his Rodin Motorsport team-mate Martinius Stenshorne and Beganovic.
Camara recovered to take fourth place and the lead of the championship over Tsolov, but Dunne is now firmly in title contention.
He will start in second place for a second feature race around the streets of Baku will take place on Saturday at 08:00 BST.
There is uncertainty around the end of the Formula 2 season, which is set to take place in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in November and December, due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Formula 2 standings
1. Rafael Camara (Bra) 182 points
2. Nikola Tsolov (Bul) 181
3. Alex Dunne (Irl) 174
4. Gabriele Mini 161
5. Dino Beganovic 131
By Offaly Secretary Fri 25th Sep
