Alex Dunne Claims First F2 Win in Chaotic Baku Feature Race

Alex Dunne broke through for his first victory of the 2026 F2 season at the Baku City Circuit. Despite the Feature Race being truncated to 23 laps due to time constraints, full points were awarded in a contest defined by attrition and strategic volatility. Martinius Stenshorne and Dino Beganovic completed the podium in a race that rearranged the championship standings.

Why it matters:

The result triggers a significant shift in the Driver's Championship. Rafael Camara capitalized on the chaos to finish fourth, executing a last-gasp overtake on Noel Leon to move one point clear of Nikola Tsolov. In a season where momentum is everything, this swing places Camara in the driver's seat heading into the weekend's final events.

The Details:

• Pre-Race Disaster: Sebastian Montoya's weekend derailed before the lights went out; the Prema driver spun on the way to the grid, losing drive and missing his P7 start entirely.
• Chaos on Track: A multi-car collision following a safety car restart on Lap 12 led to a red flag, claiming the race of championship contender Nikola Tsolov.
• Strategic Struggles: Early pit stops for those on the softer compound proved costly. Slow stops and pit lane infringements marred the run for several frontrunners, including the Red Bull junior talent.
• The Tsolov Collapse: Beyond the crash, Tsolov was penalized for crossing the white line at pit entry. Since he had already retired, the five-second penalty will likely convert to a three-place grid drop for the next race.

What's next:

The championship battle now focuses on whether Camara can consolidate his lead. With Tsolov facing a probable grid penalty for Feature Race 2 and the Baku circuit remaining notoriously unpredictable, the momentum has shifted decisively toward Camara.