Alex Dunne Dominates Wet Conditions to Secure Third Feature Race Win in Formula 2

Alex Dunne exhibited an outstanding performance at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, clinching his third feature race victory of the Formula 2 season. Despite challenging wet conditions that persisted throughout the race, the rookie driver from Rodin Motorsport showcased remarkable skill and composure, finishing ahead of Arvid Lindblad from Campos Racing and Roman Staněk from Invicta Racing.

A Rainy Start to the Race

The race commenced under precarious conditions, with standing water on the track leading all drivers to opt for wet tyres. The start was delayed due to heavy rain earlier in the morning, which caused the cancellation of the Formula 3 feature race. Consequently, the race began under the safety car, with the drivers taking three formation laps. The contest was shortened from 25 laps to 23, and when the green flag finally waved, Dunne surged ahead, leading Ritomo Miyata and Staněk.

Staněk, the Czech driver, made an aggressive move against Miyata right after the start, taking second place. However, he encountered difficulties at Eau Rouge, losing momentum after a sudden oversteer, which allowed Miyata to reclaim his position at Les Combes.

Escalating Challenges in Wet Conditions

By the second lap, the rain resumed, complicating grip and visibility for all competitors. Dunne managed to maintain a comfortable lead, extending his gap to 2.3 seconds over Miyata. However, as the track conditions deteriorated, he faced challenges in keeping his wet tyres effective.

Reflecting on his race strategy, Dunne shared that being in front provided an advantage in managing the worsening weather. “When you’re in the lead, it’s easy to argue that it’s too risky to continue racing, and that would let me secure an easy win,” he commented.

Rising Stars in the Midfield

Meanwhile, the Hitech Racing duo of Luke Browning and Dino Beganovic demonstrated their impressive pace, having started the race from the 12th and 13th positions. By lap five, they had climbed to 10th and 11th, respectively. In the front pack, gaps began to narrow, with Miyata just 1.2 seconds behind Dunne and the next three drivers—Staněk, Victor Martins, and Lindblad—closing in on each other.

However, Martins faced difficulties maintaining track limits, receiving two five-second penalties for infractions during laps 10 and 11. These penalties ultimately ended his chances for a podium finish, as he had to serve them during his pit stop.

Strategic Pit Stops Change the Race Dynamic

As the race progressed, Staněk and sixth-placed Pepe Martí pitted early, alongside Martins. Browning, who had pitted a lap earlier, utilized his warmer tyres effectively, overtaking Martí at Pouhon. On lap 12, Dunne, Miyata, Lindblad, and Browning all made their pit stops. Unfortunately for Browning, he spun while exiting the pits, losing several positions in the process.

One of the key moments during the pit stop phase was Staněk’s successful jump over Miyata. He nearly overtook Dunne at Les Combes but couldn’t quite secure the net lead. After his pit stop, Staněk managed to create a gap of over two seconds as he worked to get his tyres up to temperature.

Mid-Race Developments and Challenges

By lap 14, Staněk was hot on the tail of Oliver Goethe, who had not pitted yet. Despite closing in rapidly, he struggled to find a way past. In a decisive move around the outside at Pouhon, Staněk finally made the pass, pulling ahead once more.

Miyata, meanwhile, managed to overtake Staněk at the final chicane on the same lap. Lindblad followed suit, taking third place at La Source. Although Miyata briefly attempted to close the gap to Dunne, he spun at Pouhon on lap 16, dropping to fourth place.

Safety Car and Race Suspension

The race took a turn on lap 18 when Sebastián Montoya spun at Eau Rouge, ultimately losing his engine and halting on the left side of the track at Raidillon. His car was cleared by lap 21, and as the field prepared for a potential return to green-flag racing, Goethe’s engine failed spectacularly at La Source, emitting smoke and signaling the end of the race.

Race control decided to deploy a red flag due to the inability to recover Goethe’s car in time for the race to continue. Consequently, Dunne was declared the provisional winner after completing 21 laps.

Reflections on the Race Strategy

Dunne analyzed the decision to not restart the race, expressing that even with a clear track ahead, he was already struggling significantly at Eau Rouge. He noted the potential dangers of a restart, with many drivers eager to capitalize on the situation. “Given the circumstances, it would have been quite risky to resume racing, so I believe the decision was justified,” he stated.

Podium Finishers and Standings Update

As the race concluded, Lindblad secured second place, marking his first podium finish since winning the feature race in Barcelona. Staněk achieved his third podium in as many rounds, now sitting in 10th place in the overall drivers’ standings. In contrast, Miyata’s fourth place was his best result in two seasons of F2, showcasing his consistent pace over the weekend.

Browning managed to recover to fifth place after his earlier spin, while Martí finished sixth, followed by sprint race winner Leonardo Fornaroli, Gabriele Minì, Beganovic, and Martins rounding out the top ten.

Dunne’s victory propelled him to the top of the drivers’ standings with 137 points, increasing his lead to 15 points over Richard Verschoor, who finished 19th after a pit stop under safety car conditions. Jak Crawford, who entered the race in third with 116 points, finished 18th and dropped to fourth in the standings, now behind Fornaroli, who has 121 points. Browning stands fifth with 108 points, just eight points behind Crawford and six ahead of Lindblad, who holds sixth place with 102 points.

Conclusion

The race at Spa-Francorchamps highlighted the challenges and unpredictability of racing in wet conditions. Alex Dunne’s skillful navigation of the tricky circumstances not only secured him a significant victory but also solidified his position at the forefront of the Formula 2 championship. As the season progresses, the competition remains fierce, with drivers like Lindblad and Staněk proving to be formidable opponents. The upcoming races promise to deliver more thrilling moments as the battle for the championship intensifies.