McLaren Junior Faces Possible Race Ban After Double Grid Penalty

McLaren junior driver Alex Dunne is facing the possibility of a race ban after receiving two grid penalties from Formula 2 stewards in Spain. This is another setback for the Irish competitor, who is considered a hopeful in the F2 championship.

Just five days earlier, Dunne was involved in a dramatic crash during the feature race in Monaco triggered by a poor start from pole position. He collided with Victor Martins, was spun into oncoming cars, and ultimately caused a multi-car pile-up involving at least 11 drivers. For his part in that incident, stewards handed Dunne a 10-place grid penalty for the next sprint race at the Circuit de Catalunya.

During practice at the Spanish venue, tensions flared again between Dunne and Martins.

As Dunne made his way down the pit lane in his Rodin Motorsport car, he inadvertently struck the rear of Martins’ ART Grand Prix car. The stewards reviewed footage and telemetry, adding a three-place grid penalty to Dunne’s tally for the sprint race and a further three places for the feature race.

This results in a total penalty of 13 grid places for the sprint and another three for the main event. The stewards also added two points to Dunne’s driver record, bringing his total to eight.

An automatic race ban is triggered at 12 penalty points, putting Dunne just four points shy of missing a future race. The official report stated Dunne was attempting a pit entry at race speed and misjudged the distance to Martins, who had already activated the pit lane speed limiter.

Dunne tried to brake hard and swerve left to avoid contact, but both cars collided at the start of the pit lane. Martins said he saw Dunne approach rapidly in his mirrors and tried to accelerate away, but a collision was unavoidable.

The video and data collected by the stewards supported the accounts given by both drivers. These consecutive incidents leave Dunne in a precarious position regarding race performance and the looming risk of suspension.

This comes at a critical time in the season, with the F2 championship in full swing and multiple contenders fighting for the top spot. Elsewhere in the Formula 2 paddock, several drivers are also facing grid penalties and disciplinary actions, adding to an unpredictable and competitive environment.

With increased scrutiny from officials, every mistake on track carries heavier consequences, and drivers are urged to exercise heightened caution.

As the Spanish Grand Prix weekend unfolds at Circuit de Catalunya, pressure during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend mounts for Dunne. Avoiding further penalties will be essential if he hopes to stay in title contention. The current situation highlights the FIA stewards’ strict approach toward on-track incidents in junior categories, emphasizing safety and sportsmanship.

Dunne’s ability to manage his conduct and prevent further mistakes will have a major impact on his F2 campaign in the coming weeks. The tensions seen between drivers recall recent high-profile moments in Monaco involving other top competitors, similar to the intense atmosphere that has characterised races such as the feature race in Monaco.

Meanwhile, the ongoing battles and penalties contribute to the overall pressure during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend at Circuit de Catalunya. This heightened scrutiny and competitive environment also echoes the recent Hamilton tensions and responses seen in other racing series.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.