In an exclusive interview with Pit Debrief, former Jordan driver Ralph Firman hopes Alex Dunne can end a long wait for a driver from Ireland to appear on an F1 grid.
On October 12th in 2003, the now 50-year-old Irish-British driver made his final start in his only year in F1 at the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. It marks almost a quarter of a century since a driver from Ireland started a race in the premier single-seater category.
FP1 runs for Alex Dunne in 2025
At the 2025 F1 Austrian GP, 2022 British F4 champion and then McLaren Junior Alex Dunne became the first Irishman in 22 years to take part in a race weekend as he drove in FP1. Monza followed later in the year.
His showing at the Red Bull Ring really stood out. The driver from Offaly was less than a tenth slower compared to teammate for that session Oscar Piastri. He ended up P4 overall.
Ralph Firman on “very talented” Alex Dunne as the Alpine Junior chases F1 goal
Ever since his single-seater debut in 2021, Alex Dunne has established himself as one of the biggest talents to ever come from Ireland in Motorsport.
Winner of the British F4 championship in 2022, he finished second to current F1 points leader Kimi Antonelli in the Italian version that year. Alongside Rafael Câmara, also in Formula 2 in 2026, he was the only driver to keep the Mercedes star honest in that campaign.
Last year, he was a two-time winner in Formula 2. While he only sits P10 in points in 2026 to date, the 20-year-old has had tremendous pace in Australia and Miami. He should be a title contender once more this season.
Asked by Pit Debrief whether he thinks Alex Dunne will end the very long gap for an Irish driver to appear on an F1 grid, Ralph Firman says he is keeping his fingers crossed the Rodin Motorsport man can make the final step.
“I’ve watched a few of the races he’s in and he’s done well.
“I think he was unlucky [last year], a couple of races he got penalised or disqualified. Some silly technical thing at Spa last year. If that doesn’t happen then you maybe drive differently for the rest of the year and not try to push things.
“I think he’s obviously very talented. He’s now with Alpine.
“He’s very talented and you just need a bit of luck and a [driving] position to come up. I’m sure he’s talented enough to to to show very well in F1.
“Fingers crossed he can try and win the [F2] championship this year. It’s obviously always nice to always win the championship in whichever category you’re doing.
“But he looks very talented and fingers crossed he gets an opportunity.”
