The next stage in Alex Dunne’s burgeoning single seater career begins at Oulton Park this weekend [8-10 April] as the Irishman kicks off his 2023 GB3 Championship campaign.
The 17-year-old dominated Britain’s FIA Formula 4 series last year, setting a new record of 11 race victories in a single season, a further six podiums, five outright pole positions and an eventual winning margin of 79 points, despite contesting only nine of the ten rounds.
Dunne was similarly impressive en route to second in the Italian F4 standings but will remain in the UK to contest the highly-competitive GB3 Championship in 2023, for what will be his third season in single seaters.
“I’m really looking forward to the start of the season,” says the teenager from Offaly. “I think we have a little bit more time to find, from what I’ve seen in testing, but I’m sure with time and experience, we’ll be in the mix.
“Last year was fantastic, breaking records and enjoying plenty of success, but nothing in motorsport is guaranteed and I’m expecting it to be trickier this time around, having gone up another level.
“In my opinion, it’s going to be a very close championship, but I’m looking forward to the fight.”
With a new championship comes a new car to learn, with Dunne now racing the Tatuus MSV-022 that is unique to GB3. With more power, downforce and aerodynamic performance than the FIA F4 car, it represents a learning curve, but one that Dunne is wholeheartedly enjoying.
“The big jump was definitely the downforce,” explains Dunne. “In terms of speed, there’s not really a whole lot of difference. But adjusting to the higher downforce and a naturally aspirated engine – in F4, we had a turbo – so getting my head around how the power applies out of a corner was also something I had to learn.”
It’s a new environment, but for Dunne, the ultimate ambition remains exactly the same. “Coming off the back of the season I had last year, with hard work and the right application, we should be running up at the front.”
In 2023, GB3 will comprise of eight events – six in the UK, plus overseas trips to Spa-Francorchamps and Zandvoort – and it all begins around the fast, flowing Oulton Park International circuit this weekend.
http://www.alexdunneracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GB3_testing_01-scaled.jpg17072560fergushttp://www.alexdunneracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/AD_logo-1-300x138.pngfergus2023-04-05 17:15:192023-04-05 17:16:35Irish Rising Star Alex Dunne Begins GB3 Championship at Oulton Park
Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year, Alex Dunne, prepared for his 2022 European Car Racing season with an impressive, confidence building, challenge for the UAE Formula 4 Championship during January and February. The sixteen year old Irish star made huge progress as he took his first two car racing wins and established himself as a consistent front runner in a championship which featured the top young racers from around the world.
Dunne headed to the UAE in Early January to meet up with his new team, Hitech GP and get acquainted with the all new Formula 4 car which has been introduced for 2022. With new tracks to learn and the entire championship condensed into five consecutive weekends the Harris Group and Motorsport Ireland backed driver new he had a major challenge ahead.
With limited testing available, the opening race weekends were used to try a range of different set-ups on the unfamiliar car, but this did not hold Alex back as he just missed out on a podium by finishing fourth in race one at the Yas Marina Grand Prix Circuit. Two more top tens were achieved over the remaining three races to complete a solid opening weekend.
Moving to Dubai Autodrome for the second round, the team continued to gather data on the new car by trying a range of setups, resulting in a string of top ten finishes. Staying at Dubai Autodrome for round three, Alex’s results from the first three races of the event did not properly reflect the progress being made, but he put that right in the final race of the weekend.
Having started fifth the only Irish driver in the field showed his true potential for the first time as he led comfortably by the end of lap one. An incident behind him brought out the red flags and while Dunne followed the rules and returned to the grid every other driver in the field made their way into pit lane. The actions of the other drivers led to the bizarre situation where Alex would start the race as the only car on the grid, but with so many cars starting from pit lane it was decided to re-start the race behind as safety car while adding a five second penalty to the entire field, except Alex.
Away from the restart the Hitech car again led and pulled clear of the field apart from just one of his competitors. With his pit crew keeping him informed of his advantage the young Irish driver allowed his rival to pass, rather than getting into a battle and then maintained the gap at under five seconds to take his first Car Racing win.
With the development work on the car progressing, Dunne was at his most competitive for the final two rounds. At round 4 he qualifying on the front two rows in both sessions and then went on to add another podium finish to his record, before heading for the final weekend of the season.
Returning to Yas Marina for the first time since round one, Alex ran at the front throughout the weekend taking an impressive second race win of the year in race three along with fastest lap. With the front portion of the grid reversed for the final race, Alex’s win put him eleventh on the grid but he impressed once again as he coolly picked of his rivals to finish the championship with a fourth podium.
Speaking on his return home from the UAE, Alex expressed his satisfaction with the way things had gone. “We went to the UAE Championship to build my knowledge of the new car and to learn some new tracks and the whole experience has been extremely beneficial. I learned so much about working with a team of the calibre of Hitech, and developing a car. For all the hard work to result in my first Car Racing wins has just been phenomenal. In the end I took two wins, two more podiums and finished fifth in the standings, while competing against the best young talent in the world. I have to thank Hitech for the opportunity of racing in the UAE and all of my sponsors, Harris Group, Motorsport Ireland, VTL, Reynolds Logistics, Artisan and PDS as without them and the support of my parents I would not have been on the grid.”
Alex Dunne will continue his 2022 Formula 4 challenge in Europe. Details of his 2022 programme are still being finalised with will be announced over the coming weeks. To keep up to date with Alex’s career you can follow him on his social media channels.
http://www.alexdunneracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/17.jpeg6831024fergushttp://www.alexdunneracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/AD_logo-1-300x138.pngfergus2022-04-29 14:07:372022-04-29 14:07:37Huge progress and race wins for Alex Dunne in UAE Formula 4
Fifteen year old Alex Dunne from Clonbullogue, County Offaly, completes his 2021 German Formula 4 season this coming weekend (November 5th – 7th) as he looks to add to his 2021 achievements on his first visit to the historic Nurburgring Grand Prix circuit.
Despite having competed in just two ADAC Formula 4 Championship weekends, Alex is already seen as one of the stars of the series as he has picked up an impressive list of achievements. The young Irish driver raced to two debut second place finishes at Hockenheim in September and then took his Harris Group and Maxus backed Car to two pole positions on his return to the track two weeks ago. An impressive four rookie wins from six starts, as well as being the only rookie to have started from pole position, have marked the young Irish driver out as one to watch for the future.
This weekend the German Formula 4 series finishes off its season with its first trip of the year to the former German Formula One venue, The Nurburgring. The ADAC Formula 4 series will race on a slightly shortened version of the Grand Prix track and with no previous experience of the circuit and no pre-event testing available, Alex will be on a steep learning curve from the start.
Having shown on his previous appearances that he is quick to learn a circuit, Alex will be aiming to use the two thirty minute practice sessions to prepare himself and his US Racing car, before heading into the all important qualifying sessions on Friday afternoon. Friday’s qualifying will decide the starting positions for Saturday’s race and the first race on Sunday, while the Sunday morning race result will be reversed to give the starting positions for the afternoons’ final race.
“From what I’ve seen of the track, I’m expecting it to be a big challenge”, said Alex before heading for Germany. “There’s a lot of elevation changes and a good mixture of slow and fast sections so I need to wait and see how practice goes before I know where we sit. Following the successes of Hockenheim, I have high expectations for the weekend and will be aiming to get back on the podium, hopefully take some more Rookie wins and maybe even my first outright Car Racing victory. As this will be my final event of the season I’m aiming to put in a strong performance for all of my backers, Harris Group, Maxus, VTL, Reynolds Logistics, Artisan Marble, PDS Associates, Xpress Health and Motorsport Ireland.”
Alex’s progress in the ADAC Formula 4 Championship at the Nurburgring this weekend can be followed by clicking the links to the live stream and live timing on his web site, www.alexdunneracing.com.
http://www.alexdunneracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/nurburgring.jpg6671000fergushttp://www.alexdunneracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/AD_logo-1-300x138.pngfergus2021-11-02 16:06:202021-11-02 16:24:58Alex Dunne looking for more German Formula 4 success
Alex Dunne returned to the ADAC Formula 4 Championship last weekend (October 22nd – 24th) to contest three more rounds of the German based series and impressed once again. The fifteen year old topped both qualifying sessions before picking up two Rookie class wins on his way to fourth place in races two and three.
Returning to the Hockenheim track for a second visit, Alex went into the weekend full of confidence, having battled his way to two second place finishes on the same circuit back in September. A clutch problem in Friday’s wet opening practice session limited the Offaly teenagers’ track time, leaving him seventh fastest at the end of the session. With the clutch replaced the Harris Group and Maxus backed driver was back on form in session two to end up third quickest overall, well clear of his nearest Rookie class rival.
Qualifying for races one and two took place in quick succession on Friday afternoon and right from the start the young Irish driver was amongst the quickest. With five minutes left in session one Alex moved to the top of the time sheets and his time was quick enough to remain there until the chequered flag. By securing pole for race one Dunne became the first Rookie in the series to take a front row start. Following a five minute break the cars were back on track for session two and once again it was Dunne who emerged from the pack to top the time sheets and take an incredible double pole position.
The Irish driver was back on track for race one on Saturday, but an issue with his new clutch saw him make a slow getaway leaving him down in sixth place. After a long safety car period Dunne was getting back up to speed when one of his rivals, while attempting to overtake, ran wide and knocked Alex’s front wing off leading to him crashing out.
Starting from pole again in race two on Sunday, the clutch issues continued and this time the Rookie found himself down in seventh place by the end of lap one. Having worked his way back to fourth, Alex was able to match the pace of the leaders as he consolidated another Rookie class win and fourth place overall.
Starting fifth for Sunday’s race three, another problematic start put Dunne down to ninth place but once again he was able to battle back through the field. Having made it up to fourth by the end of lap three he was once again as quick as the drivers ahead of him but was unable to close the gap as he finished off his weekend with another Rookie win and fourth place.
Speaking after this second weekend in the German series Alex said “I’m really happy with the progress I’m making and speed I’ve shown. Taking two pole positions is a really good achievement, especially as I am a rookie up against much more experienced drivers. I was a bit disappointed with races one and two, but I know that we’ll get the starting issues sorted and I’ll be back even stronger at the next event at the Nurburgring. I have to be happy with two Rookie wins and I’m very grateful to all of my backers, Harris Group, Maxus, VTL, Reynolds Logistics, Artisan Marble, PDS Associates, Xpress Health and Motorsport Ireland whose support has made this possible”.
Alex Dunne will make his final appearance of the year when the German Formula 4 championship reaches its climax at the Nurburgring, from November 5th to 7th.
http://www.alexdunneracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Alex_Hockenheim_2_04.jpg13232126fergushttp://www.alexdunneracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/AD_logo-1-300x138.pngfergus2021-10-26 14:57:182021-10-26 14:57:18Alex Dunne impresses once again with double pole position and two rookie wins
Irish Rising Star Alex Dunne Begins GB3 Championship at Oulton Park
/in News /by fergusThe next stage in Alex Dunne’s burgeoning single seater career begins at Oulton Park this weekend [8-10 April] as the Irishman kicks off his 2023 GB3 Championship campaign.
The 17-year-old dominated Britain’s FIA Formula 4 series last year, setting a new record of 11 race victories in a single season, a further six podiums, five outright pole positions and an eventual winning margin of 79 points, despite contesting only nine of the ten rounds.
Dunne was similarly impressive en route to second in the Italian F4 standings but will remain in the UK to contest the highly-competitive GB3 Championship in 2023, for what will be his third season in single seaters.
“I’m really looking forward to the start of the season,” says the teenager from Offaly. “I think we have a little bit more time to find, from what I’ve seen in testing, but I’m sure with time and experience, we’ll be in the mix.
“Last year was fantastic, breaking records and enjoying plenty of success, but nothing in motorsport is guaranteed and I’m expecting it to be trickier this time around, having gone up another level.
“In my opinion, it’s going to be a very close championship, but I’m looking forward to the fight.”
With a new championship comes a new car to learn, with Dunne now racing the Tatuus MSV-022 that is unique to GB3. With more power, downforce and aerodynamic performance than the FIA F4 car, it represents a learning curve, but one that Dunne is wholeheartedly enjoying.
“The big jump was definitely the downforce,” explains Dunne. “In terms of speed, there’s not really a whole lot of difference. But adjusting to the higher downforce and a naturally aspirated engine – in F4, we had a turbo – so getting my head around how the power applies out of a corner was also something I had to learn.”
It’s a new environment, but for Dunne, the ultimate ambition remains exactly the same. “Coming off the back of the season I had last year, with hard work and the right application, we should be running up at the front.”
In 2023, GB3 will comprise of eight events – six in the UK, plus overseas trips to Spa-Francorchamps and Zandvoort – and it all begins around the fast, flowing Oulton Park International circuit this weekend.
You can also follow Alex on:
Facebook ¦ Instagram ¦ Twitter
Huge progress and race wins for Alex Dunne in UAE Formula 4
/in News /by fergusMotorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year, Alex Dunne, prepared for his 2022 European Car Racing season with an impressive, confidence building, challenge for the UAE Formula 4 Championship during January and February. The sixteen year old Irish star made huge progress as he took his first two car racing wins and established himself as a consistent front runner in a championship which featured the top young racers from around the world.
Dunne headed to the UAE in Early January to meet up with his new team, Hitech GP and get acquainted with the all new Formula 4 car which has been introduced for 2022. With new tracks to learn and the entire championship condensed into five consecutive weekends the Harris Group and Motorsport Ireland backed driver new he had a major challenge ahead.
With limited testing available, the opening race weekends were used to try a range of different set-ups on the unfamiliar car, but this did not hold Alex back as he just missed out on a podium by finishing fourth in race one at the Yas Marina Grand Prix Circuit. Two more top tens were achieved over the remaining three races to complete a solid opening weekend.
Moving to Dubai Autodrome for the second round, the team continued to gather data on the new car by trying a range of setups, resulting in a string of top ten finishes. Staying at Dubai Autodrome for round three, Alex’s results from the first three races of the event did not properly reflect the progress being made, but he put that right in the final race of the weekend.
Having started fifth the only Irish driver in the field showed his true potential for the first time as he led comfortably by the end of lap one. An incident behind him brought out the red flags and while Dunne followed the rules and returned to the grid every other driver in the field made their way into pit lane. The actions of the other drivers led to the bizarre situation where Alex would start the race as the only car on the grid, but with so many cars starting from pit lane it was decided to re-start the race behind as safety car while adding a five second penalty to the entire field, except Alex.
Away from the restart the Hitech car again led and pulled clear of the field apart from just one of his competitors. With his pit crew keeping him informed of his advantage the young Irish driver allowed his rival to pass, rather than getting into a battle and then maintained the gap at under five seconds to take his first Car Racing win.
With the development work on the car progressing, Dunne was at his most competitive for the final two rounds. At round 4 he qualifying on the front two rows in both sessions and then went on to add another podium finish to his record, before heading for the final weekend of the season.
Returning to Yas Marina for the first time since round one, Alex ran at the front throughout the weekend taking an impressive second race win of the year in race three along with fastest lap. With the front portion of the grid reversed for the final race, Alex’s win put him eleventh on the grid but he impressed once again as he coolly picked of his rivals to finish the championship with a fourth podium.
Speaking on his return home from the UAE, Alex expressed his satisfaction with the way things had gone. “We went to the UAE Championship to build my knowledge of the new car and to learn some new tracks and the whole experience has been extremely beneficial. I learned so much about working with a team of the calibre of Hitech, and developing a car. For all the hard work to result in my first Car Racing wins has just been phenomenal. In the end I took two wins, two more podiums and finished fifth in the standings, while competing against the best young talent in the world. I have to thank Hitech for the opportunity of racing in the UAE and all of my sponsors, Harris Group, Motorsport Ireland, VTL, Reynolds Logistics, Artisan and PDS as without them and the support of my parents I would not have been on the grid.”
Alex Dunne will continue his 2022 Formula 4 challenge in Europe. Details of his 2022 programme are still being finalised with will be announced over the coming weeks. To keep up to date with Alex’s career you can follow him on his social media channels.
You can also follow Alex on:
Facebook ¦ Instagram ¦ Twitter
ADAC F4 Round 6, Nurburgring – Nov 5 to 7 – event details
/in News /by fergusYou can follow Alex’s progress through Rounds 16, 17 & 18 of the German ADAC F4 Championship on November 5th – 7th, using the links below.
The event begins with practice and two qualifying sessions on Friday followed by Race 1 on Saturday and Races 2 & 3 on Sunday.
TIMETABLE FRIDAY
Free Practice: 08:45 – 09:15
Qualifying 1: 12:25 – 12:40
Qualifying 2: 12:45 – 13:00
TIMETABLE SATURDAY
Race 1: 10:15 – 10:45
TIMETABLE SUNDAY
Race 2: 08:45 – 09:15
Race 3: 13:00 – 13:30
LIVE TIMING
RESULTS
LIVESTREAM – Available Saturday & Sunday
You can also follow Alex on:
Facebook ¦ Instagram ¦ Twitter
Alex Dunne looking for more German Formula 4 success
/in News /by fergusFifteen year old Alex Dunne from Clonbullogue, County Offaly, completes his 2021 German Formula 4 season this coming weekend (November 5th – 7th) as he looks to add to his 2021 achievements on his first visit to the historic Nurburgring Grand Prix circuit.
Despite having competed in just two ADAC Formula 4 Championship weekends, Alex is already seen as one of the stars of the series as he has picked up an impressive list of achievements. The young Irish driver raced to two debut second place finishes at Hockenheim in September and then took his Harris Group and Maxus backed Car to two pole positions on his return to the track two weeks ago. An impressive four rookie wins from six starts, as well as being the only rookie to have started from pole position, have marked the young Irish driver out as one to watch for the future.
This weekend the German Formula 4 series finishes off its season with its first trip of the year to the former German Formula One venue, The Nurburgring. The ADAC Formula 4 series will race on a slightly shortened version of the Grand Prix track and with no previous experience of the circuit and no pre-event testing available, Alex will be on a steep learning curve from the start.
Having shown on his previous appearances that he is quick to learn a circuit, Alex will be aiming to use the two thirty minute practice sessions to prepare himself and his US Racing car, before heading into the all important qualifying sessions on Friday afternoon. Friday’s qualifying will decide the starting positions for Saturday’s race and the first race on Sunday, while the Sunday morning race result will be reversed to give the starting positions for the afternoons’ final race.
“From what I’ve seen of the track, I’m expecting it to be a big challenge”, said Alex before heading for Germany. “There’s a lot of elevation changes and a good mixture of slow and fast sections so I need to wait and see how practice goes before I know where we sit. Following the successes of Hockenheim, I have high expectations for the weekend and will be aiming to get back on the podium, hopefully take some more Rookie wins and maybe even my first outright Car Racing victory. As this will be my final event of the season I’m aiming to put in a strong performance for all of my backers, Harris Group, Maxus, VTL, Reynolds Logistics, Artisan Marble, PDS Associates, Xpress Health and Motorsport Ireland.”
Alex’s progress in the ADAC Formula 4 Championship at the Nurburgring this weekend can be followed by clicking the links to the live stream and live timing on his web site, www.alexdunneracing.com.
You can also follow Alex on:
Facebook ¦ Instagram ¦ Twitter
Alex Dunne impresses once again with double pole position and two rookie wins
/in News /by fergusAlex Dunne returned to the ADAC Formula 4 Championship last weekend (October 22nd – 24th) to contest three more rounds of the German based series and impressed once again. The fifteen year old topped both qualifying sessions before picking up two Rookie class wins on his way to fourth place in races two and three.
Returning to the Hockenheim track for a second visit, Alex went into the weekend full of confidence, having battled his way to two second place finishes on the same circuit back in September. A clutch problem in Friday’s wet opening practice session limited the Offaly teenagers’ track time, leaving him seventh fastest at the end of the session. With the clutch replaced the Harris Group and Maxus backed driver was back on form in session two to end up third quickest overall, well clear of his nearest Rookie class rival.
Qualifying for races one and two took place in quick succession on Friday afternoon and right from the start the young Irish driver was amongst the quickest. With five minutes left in session one Alex moved to the top of the time sheets and his time was quick enough to remain there until the chequered flag. By securing pole for race one Dunne became the first Rookie in the series to take a front row start. Following a five minute break the cars were back on track for session two and once again it was Dunne who emerged from the pack to top the time sheets and take an incredible double pole position.
The Irish driver was back on track for race one on Saturday, but an issue with his new clutch saw him make a slow getaway leaving him down in sixth place. After a long safety car period Dunne was getting back up to speed when one of his rivals, while attempting to overtake, ran wide and knocked Alex’s front wing off leading to him crashing out.
Starting from pole again in race two on Sunday, the clutch issues continued and this time the Rookie found himself down in seventh place by the end of lap one. Having worked his way back to fourth, Alex was able to match the pace of the leaders as he consolidated another Rookie class win and fourth place overall.
Starting fifth for Sunday’s race three, another problematic start put Dunne down to ninth place but once again he was able to battle back through the field. Having made it up to fourth by the end of lap three he was once again as quick as the drivers ahead of him but was unable to close the gap as he finished off his weekend with another Rookie win and fourth place.
Speaking after this second weekend in the German series Alex said “I’m really happy with the progress I’m making and speed I’ve shown. Taking two pole positions is a really good achievement, especially as I am a rookie up against much more experienced drivers. I was a bit disappointed with races one and two, but I know that we’ll get the starting issues sorted and I’ll be back even stronger at the next event at the Nurburgring. I have to be happy with two Rookie wins and I’m very grateful to all of my backers, Harris Group, Maxus, VTL, Reynolds Logistics, Artisan Marble, PDS Associates, Xpress Health and Motorsport Ireland whose support has made this possible”.
Alex Dunne will make his final appearance of the year when the German Formula 4 championship reaches its climax at the Nurburgring, from November 5th to 7th.
You can also follow Alex on:
Facebook ¦ Instagram ¦ Twitter
ADAC F4 Round 5, Hockenheim – Oct 22 to 24 – event details
/in News /by fergusYou can follow Alex’s progress through Rounds 13, 14 & 15 of the German ADAC F4 Championship on October 22nd – 24th, using the links below.
The event begins with two practice and two qualifying sessions on Friday followed by Race 1 on Saturday and Races 2 & 3 on Sunday.
TIMETABLE FRIDAY
Free Practice 1: 08:00 – 08:30
Free Practice 2: 11:05 – 11:35
Qualifying 1: 15:45 – 16:00
Qualifying 2: 16:05 – 16:20
TIMETABLE SATURDAY
Race 1: 11:00 – 11:30
TIMETABLE SUNDAY
Race 2: 09:25 – 09:45
Race 3: 13:15 – 13:45
LIVE TIMING
RESULTS
LIVESTREAM – Available Saturday & Sunday
You can also follow Alex on:
Facebook ¦ Instagram ¦ Twitter