Alex Dunne topped the sole Free Practice session of the 2026 F2 British GP weekend at Silverstone, posting a 1:42.065 to edge Rafael Câmara to the top of the timesheets. Speaking after the session, the Rodin Motorsport driver was encouraged by what he saw and believes pole position is a genuine target.
Dunne reflects on a strong opening session
Dunne enjoyed the session from the start. The Irishman was pleased with the balance of the car throughout the session.
Dunne said: “It was a good session, I really enjoyed it. To be honest, after every lap, the first thing I was thinking was, this is really fun. I really, really enjoy the track,” Dunne stated.
“It’s definitely a place I always look forward to coming to and driving at, it’s always really nice. I was happy, the balance was good. I feel like I was driving pretty well as well.”
Track limits a key concern ahead of F2 British GP Qualifying
Alex Dunne was among several drivers to have lap times deleted for track limits during the session.
Speaking after Free Practice, Dunne noted the difficulty he and other drivers had in staying within the white lines. “It is difficult, I think Turn 9 and Turn 15 in particular, if you over-push slightly or the car is maybe a bit too on edge, it’s quite easy to push it outside the track limits,” he stated.
“I think I did it a couple of times as well. At least, it’s the same for everyone. I think everyone’s car balance, at least from what I can see from watching F3, looking back at F2 during the session, I think we’re all kind of similar in that sense where it’s a bit more on edge.”
Dunne expects the situation to improve in Qualifying for the 2026 F2 British GP, with softer tyres offering more confidence. “I imagine that when we go to qualify when the tracks rubbered in a bit more, and we have softer tyres, it should be a bit easier. It just gives you a bit more comfort to push on a bit more. The Hard tyre in FP can be tricky to get along with sometimes.”
“The grip level is generally on the lower side. And I think in the past, the jump from Hard to Soft is usually around two or three seconds, so it is quite a big jump.”
“I think mainly in the traction zones and in the high-speed corners, you do gain quite a lot of grip, so, it’s definitely more enjoyable and it’s nice to drive, but there will be a step to be made as a driver as well.”
Dunne targeting pole at 2026 F2 British GP after getting close last year
Dunne came close to pole at Silverstone in 2025, ultimately finishing second in Qualifying. He arrives this year with that experience behind him and believes he has the tools to go one better.
“If we can do the same as what we just did, then maybe that will be good enough. I’m feeling good. Obviously, I have a good idea of where to go based off of last year, and then from FP this morning, I feel like I’m in a pretty good place. So, I think we just need to go out and drive normally, put the lap together, and I think we’ll be in with a good shot.”
Dunne heads into Qualifying for the 2026 F2 British GP as the driver to beat. After topping the timesheets in Free Practice and with clear confidence in the car, the Rodin Motorsport driver looks well placed to challenge for pole.
