- Swedish rookie makes instant impression with points in Qatar
- Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy youngster powers to P4 in qualifying
Dino Beganovic delivered a commanding performance on his FIA Formula 2 Championship debut in Qatar, qualifying an eye-catching fourth and rounding out the weekend with a top five finish in Sunday’s Feature Race.
Stepping up to Formula 1’s main feeder series for the first time, Beganovic slotted onto the F2 grid with DAMS Lucas Oil at Lusail International Circuit and proved instantly on the pace.
The Swede adapted quickly to his new environment, even overcoming a worst-case scenario in the sole practice session of the meeting when his car stopped on track with a mechanical failure after just three laps.
“Qualifying fourth on my first ever F2 weekend, after basically zero laps in practice, was an incredible feeling,” says Dino Beganovic. “I just felt immediately confident out there, the team gave me a great car, and I managed to string a good lap together. It was the emotional highlight of the weekend and it put us in a good spot for the races.”
His qualifying heroics left Beganovic sixth on the partially reversed grid for Saturday’s Sprint Race, where the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy member ran in the points-paying top eight for most of the distance. Just five laps from home, however, Beganovic was tagged into a spin by a rival driver (who was later penalised for the incident), dropping him to tenth in the final order.
Lining up on his de facto qualifying position of fourth in Sunday’s Feature Race, Beganovic then produced a composed performance to round out the weekend, navigating through challenges such as his first-ever live pit stop, management of two different tyre compounds, and a poorly timed safety car to eventually finish in fifth place.
“It was not an easy race, and we were quite unlucky with the timing of the safety car just after our pit stop, but I think we made the most of it,” Dino Beganovic concludes. “I had a good start and got up to third, and then the pace was generally very strong. I struggled a little bit on the medium tyres to begin with, but after that I was lapping at a similar pace to the leaders and championship contenders.
“Overall, I’m very, very pleased with my Formula 2 debut. Big thanks to the team for helping me settle in. I have learned a lot here in Qatar and now we’re looking ahead to Abu Dhabi.”
Beganovic will return to FIA Formula 2 Championship action next weekend (December 6-8) as the 2024 season-finale plays out at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
RESULTS
FIA Formula 2 Championship
Rd. 13 – Lusail International Circuit (QAT)
Race 1 (Sprint Race) – full results
1: O. Bearman (GBR), PREMA Racing
2: J. Crawford (USA), DAMS Lucas Oil
3: R. Verschoor (NED), MP Motorsport
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10: D. Beganovic (SWE), DAMS Lucas Oil
Race 2 (Feature Race) – full results
1: P. Aron (EST), Hitech Pulse-Eight
2: I. Hadjar (FRA), Campos Racing
3: G. Bortoleto (BRA), Invicta Racing
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5: D. Beganovic (SWE), DAMS Lucas Oil
