Dino Beganovic powers to double podium on Formula 3 debut

– Ferrari Driver Academy youngster takes on experienced rivals in Dubai
– Twice runner-up on first F3 Asian Championship outing

Dino Beganovic took away two podium finishes from his first-ever weekend of Formula 3 racing, as the Swede made an instant impact on a competitive field for the opening round of the F3 Asian Championship at Dubai Autodrome.

Acting as a precursor to his up-coming main 2021 campaign in the Formula Regional European Championship, Beganovic joined an international 23-car grid featuring a mix of up-coming young guns and established rivals, including several race winners from high-level series such as FIA Formula 2. 

Despite being up against some much more experienced drivers, 17-year-old Beganovic set an impressive pace throughout the meeting, taking third in the final qualifying session before finishing fifth in the opening race on Friday.

The Ferrari Driver Academy youngster then came even more into play on Saturday, scoring a brace of podiums with P2 in each of the concluding two races of the meeting aboard his Abu Dhabi Racing by PREMA car.

“It’s great to be on the podium twice on my first weekend in F3 – I am obviously very happy about this,” says Dino Beganovic. “It’s been a very valuable experience here in Dubai and the pace has been strong throughout. It is great for the confidence as I prepare for the next step in my career, and good to get this early benchmark against some more experienced guys. I’m super happy and looking forward to being back in the car soon.”    

Dino Beganovic will resume his Middle Eastern winter tour in the F3 Asian Championship next week, contesting another six races across rounds two (4-5 February) and three (6-7 February) at the nearby Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

RESULTS (top five)

Formula 3 Asian Championship
Rd. 1 – Dubai Autodrome (UAE)

RACE 1
—
1: G. Zhou (CHN), Abu Dhabi Racing by PREMA
2: R. Nissany (ISR), Hitech Grand Prix
3: J. Daruvala (IND), Mumbai Falcons
4: P-L. Chovet (FRA), Pinnacle Motorsport
5: D. Beganovic (SWE), Abu Dhabi Racing by PREMA

RACE 2
—
1: G. Zhou (CHN), Abu Dhabi Racing by PREMA
2: D. Beganovic (SWE), Abu Dhabi Racing by PREMA
3: I. Hadjar (FRA), Evans GP
4: P-L. Chovet (FRA), Pinnacle Motorsport
5: A. Iwasa (JPN), Hitech Grand Prix

RACE 3
—
1: P-L. Chovet (FRA), Pinnacle Motorsport
2: D. Beganovic (SWE), Abu Dhabi Racing by PREMA
3: R. Nissany (ISR), Hitech Grand Prix
4: I. Hadjar (FRA), Evans GP
5: A. Iwasa (JPN), Hitech Grand Prix