Dunne storms to Baku Feature Race win to reignite F2 title charge

Irish rookie converts pole into first F2 win of 2026

Alex Dunne moved firmly back into serious contention for the Formula 2 crown with a commanding victory in Baku Feature Race 1, kicking off his Azerbaijan weekend in the best possible fashion as he secured his first win of the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season.

Alex Dunne celebrates victory in Baku Feature Race 1

The Alpine F1 Academy and Rodin Motorsport driver converted pole position into an early lead around the streets of Baku, though a well-timed Safety Car period reshuffled the order. Re-emerging from the pit lane in second place, Dunne was nonetheless the net leader and in control of his own destiny.

Red flag drama and a decisive late move

A mid-race red flag, triggered by an incident behind in the pack, brought the field back together and set up a tense conclusion. In the final laps, Dunne dispatched the yet-to-pit Oliver Goethe and drove off into the distance to take win number one of the season at a crucial stage of the campaign.

The result sparked Rodin celebrations as Martinius Stenshorne made it a 1-2 for the team, fighting back through the pack after losing out under the Safety Car and pit stop window to secure second place. Dino Beganovic added another podium to his record, taking third for DAMS Lucas Oil after winning the Sprint Race earlier in the day.

Title battle tightens at the top

Victory lifts Dunne back up to third in the drivers' standings, just eight points off the top spot that now belongs to Rafael Camara. The Ferrari Driver Academy talent won out in a last-gasp drag race to the line against Noel Leon, which earned him fourth on Friday, and the result leaves the Invicta Racing driver on 181 points at the summit.

Camara leads by a single point from Nikola Tsolov, who failed to finish the first feature race of the weekend in a significant blow to his championship hopes. With the margin at the top now razor-thin and Dunne's third consecutive podium underlining his momentum, the F2 title fight has well and truly reignited heading into the remainder of the Baku weekend.