Rising Offaly motor racing star gets backing from Tullamore company

RISING motor racing star from Offaly, Alex Dunne, has confirmed a major sponsorship deal with Tullamore-based Condron Concrete.

The 19-year-old Clonbullogue driver, who has already won the British Formula 4 championship and competed at Formula 3 level, said Condron Concrete had come on board late last year.

“It's massive. They've been very supportive of me and hopefully if F2 (Formula 2) goes ahead [for me] this year, a lot of it will be made possible by them. They've been massive supporters so far, even in a short amount of time. They've been a big help.”

Dunne raced FIA Formula 3 last season and laughed that it was not his best year in motor sport.

“It could have been better and I'd prefer not to talk about,” he said.

However, he added that the year had two special highlights. “It was good to be announced by McLaren to be part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme and to be the first Irish driver to get a podium in FIA F3.”

That podium finish was in round five of the 2024 Formula Three championship in Barcelona where Dunne finished second behind the Spanish driver Mari Boya.

Dunne won the British Formula 4 championship in 2022 and was runner-up in the 2023 GB3 championship.

He said the Condron Concrete support provides the resources he needs to push for a new chapter in his career and also noted that the backing comes from a company that shares his Offaly roots and values. “I’m proud to represent Condron Concrete and Offaly as I aim for success in 2025.”

Speaking at Condron Concrete works this afternoon (Friday, January 31), the young man could not confirm if he will be driving in this year's Formula 2 championship.

“We're not sure on that yet, so we'll have to wait and see. We're still getting that across the line but so far we've announced the role as the McLaren reserve and development driver for Formula E.”

He added: “I turn 20 at the end of the year in November. The ambition of course is F1.”

The Condron Concrete partnership will provided Dunne with support in both the 2025 and 2026 campaigns.

He was named ‘International Driver Of The Year’ for 2024 at the Irish Motorsport Awards.

John Condron, managing director of Condron Concrete, said: “We are immensely proud to support Alex on his journey to the pinnacle of motor sport. At Condron Concrete, we value hard work, resilience, and a connection to our community, qualities that Alex exemplifies both on and off the track.”

Condron added: “I am really excited about the season ahead having seen his fantastic performances recently while F2 testing in Abu Dhabi. As a company rooted in Offaly, we couldn’t be more delighted to champion one of our own as he competes on the global stage.”

At the sponsorship announcement Dunne showcased his Formula 3 car from last season and treated onlookers to laps of the Condron Concrete yard in a midget racing car.

Three-and-a-half year-old Joey Conway (pictured below) even got to sit in the cockpit of Dunne's Formula 3 car where the driver showed him how to hold the steering wheel.

There was also a display of aerobatics featuring a plane painted in the distinctive yellow of Condron Concrete.

Among the motor racing fans present was Clara man Ger Buckley (pictured) who was in Italy last year with his son Harley when the driver had a podium finish in a sprint race.

“We went to Monza last year and got the pleasure of watching Alex race out there,” said Buckley. “We're hoping he steps up to Formula 2 this year.”

Wearing a jersey bearing the name of Formula 1 star Fernando Alonso, Buckley remarked: “It's very exciting to have someone from Ireland, and even better that he's from Offaly, and hopefully some day he'll make the big step up to Formula 1 and we'll be able to wear his support gear. It's great to see a local businessman backing him.”

The announcement was also attended by Offaly GAA chair Tom Parlon. Condron Concrete confirmed recently it is a sponsor of Offaly GAA.