Six points and a podium immediately shape how alex dunne starts his Formula Two season. As of Sunday at 9: 41 a. m. ET, the Rodin driver was classified third in Melbourne after a late charge and a post‑race penalty for a rival.
What Alex Dunne’s podium means for Alpine and Rodin
The third-place finish gives the 20-year-old Alpine academy driver an early six points, with momentum into Sunday’s feature race where he qualified third. For alex dunne, it’s a timely result with Rodin, especially given he had to launch the sprint from eighth under the reversed-grid format.
Melbourne sprint: Duerksen wins, León second after Stenshorne penalty
Joshua Duerksen won the opening sprint and the first 10 points of the season, while Noel León finished second for eight points. Dunne crossed the line fourth before Martinius Stenshorne was penalized, promoting the Irish driver to third and onto the podium.
Starting eighth—because the qualifying order for Sunday’s feature race, where Dunne took third, was reversed for the sprint—he climbed steadily. With three laps remaining he passed Rafael Câmara and fellow Alpine academy team‑mate Gabriele Minì in quick succession to jump from seventh to fifth. Early on the final lap he overtook Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak to take fourth on the road, then moved up one more place when the penalty was applied.
Alpine F1 academy move frames Dunne’s season ambitions
Dunne’s podium arrives alongside confirmation that he has joined the Alpine F1 team academy, having been named a fully fledged member of Alpine’s young driver program for 2026 ahead of his second Formula 2 season with Rodin. He finished fifth in his debut F2 campaign last year, with two wins, two pole positions and eight podiums. He also completed two Formula 1 practice sessions last season, setting the fourth‑fastest time in Austria, just 0. 069 seconds off Oscar Piastri.
The Alpine link follows his exit from a previous development program last September, positioning the Irish driver for further F1 mileage opportunities as the season unfolds. The Melbourne result underlines the trajectory he’s targeting as he balances F2 points with long‑term F1 preparation.
If Dunne converts his third‑place grid slot in Sunday’s feature race, his 6‑point tally from the sprint will grow and strengthen Rodin’s opening‑weekend return.
