Dunne satisfied with Friday efforts after McLaren outing and top five in Qualifying

5 September 2025

Alexander Dunne wound up P5 in Monza Qualifying, a result the Rodin Motorsport driver was happy with at the end of the day.

The Irishman once again balanced his Formula 2 title bid with an FP1 outing with McLaren, his second of the season following his impressive Red Bull Ring showing earlier in the year.

Back in the F2 paddock and speaking after Qualifying was wrapped up, the McLaren Development Driver said he was happy with his work across a busy day.

“It was pretty good, I only had two laps compared to Austria where we had a full uninterrupted session. To be P5 – to jump back in is pretty difficult, whereas this weekend I didn’t really struggle at all. From a driving point of view, I was very happy with that and there was a lot more to come still.

Dunne had finished the session sixth but was promoted to fifth after Richard Verschoor lost his fastest lap due to causing the third and final Red Flag of Qualifying.

It was a session in which several drivers came unstuck, and Dunne was eager to ensure he wasn’t one of them, insisting to the team that he get out on track despite a lack of slipstream as he looked to reacquaint himself with the Rodin F2 car.

“At the beginning I said to the team, ‘look, if everyone’s going to sit here in the pitlane, I need to be out on track because I’m more hindered than everyone else because I need to get comfortable in the car again’.

“I think we did the right thing. In the end we were rewarded in that. The pace was strong, and I think I did a lap more than everyone else, so there will be a bit of performance in that as well.

“Austria was definitely harder jumping back than what it was today, so from that point of view, I’m really happy.”

The Rodin driver said his re-adaptation to the F2 car following his F1 Practice appearance went much smoother than it had done back in Austria, and he was particularly pleased to have made the switch as seamlessly as he did.

Reflecting on the McLaren opportunity earlier in the day, Dunne says it was a fun session, and that his working relationship with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri has helped him prepare for his second F1/F2 balancing act.

“It was pretty cool. I saw Lando coming out of Ascari, and the team told me he was coming, so I thought I’d give him a tow, and he repaid the favour down to Turn 1.

“It’s cool and I think I have a good relationship with both Lando and Oscar now. Any time I ask them something they’re always happy to give the answer and to try and help me understand how to jump back in.

“From that side, I’m very happy. It’s always enjoyable doing FP1, even if it wasn’t as strong as what I’d hope for and what it was in Austria, but overall, it was still ok. My main focus is still F2, and the fact that we’ve qualified well and the pace is strong gives me hope for the weekend.”

Turning his focus back onto the Sprint and Feature Races and the remainder of the race weekend, Dunne says he and the team are in a good place in both races to earn crucial championship points.

He added that he feels the team’s strengths lay in the races, even if Qualifying has brought the stronger results as of late.

“It’s the most similar track to Spa that we’ve had so far, but Qualifying wasn’t as good as it was there. If we get a good result, this time I’d like to keep it! That’s the main goal, but I think the pace is strong and there’s more to come. As a team and as a driver too, I feel as though we get stronger in the races, even if Qualifying has been good recently.”