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Politician rallies parliament to FUND F1 promotion for driver
A member of the Irish government is urging the country’s leaders to provide more support for young driver Alex Dunne in his pursuit of Formula 1. John Clendennen, TD for Offaly, has called on Minister Patrick O’Donovan to consider increased central funding for sports beyond the traditional ones. Dunne, hailing from County Offaly, secured his eighth podium in the F2 season in Qatar, currently ranking fifth in the championship before the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Italian driver Leonardo Fornaroli clinched the 2025 F2 title in Qatar and joined the McLaren driver development program, while Dunne parted ways with McLaren’s academy in October. Clendennen criticized the lack of attention given to Dunne by sporting organizations and emphasized the need for long-term support for this exceptional talent. Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Climate, Energy, and the Environment, pledged to address the issue as Dunne’s potential in F1 is likened to that of Eddie Irvine’s era.
