"I don't see why we can't be contenders" - Alex Dunne up to second in F2 World Championship after first win

Offaly's Alex Dunne is up to second in the F2 World Championship his historic first win in Bahrain on Sunday. in the 200th F2 race, he became the first Irish driver to be first to the chequered flag.

In just his fourth start in F2 after moving up from F3, 19-year-old Alex who drives for the Roddin team moved up from fourth to second off the start and drove a composed first stint before taking the lead just before the pit stop. 

Coming out of the pits he was briefly under pressure but he drove away from the hugely talented field to cross the line eight seconds ahead of Luke Browning who finished in second place. 

The result was all the more impressive as the McLaren Junior driver suffered disappointment in the Sprint Race on Saturday after battling in the points for much of the race.

IN PICTURES: Emotional scenes as Offaly's Alex Dunne celebrates historic F2 win

Speaking after the race on Sky Sports, a remarkably calm Alex Dunne said, "I have no words to be honest. I knew coming the weekend that the pace was strong. All the race runs we did in testing were generally quite positive. Maybe I didn't expect this. I was disappointed after yesterday. I wasn't very happy with the job I did and I think today I redeemed myself and bounced back really well."

"I think I did a great job but of course Roddin also won here last year and it proves they have a really great car. It's not only down to me, they have massively helped me as well. I think if we can continue the form, I am driving at a good level at the minute and if I can continue like that, I don't see why we can't be contenders."

The result moves Alex up to second in the F2 World Championship just a point behind leader Leo Fornaroli who finished third in the Feature Race.

It is a quick turnaround for Alex and the rest of the F2 driver as next week they head to Saudi Arabia to compete on the super fast track in Jeddah.