– From gravel trap despair to rostrum relief
– Ferrari Driver Academy youngster finishes second at Mugello
Dino Beganovic rose to the occasion to clinch his first Formula Regional European Championship podium in an emotional rollercoaster at the penultimate round of the season at Mugello.
Beganovic suffered heartbreak in the opening race on Saturday when – after qualifying on the front row of the grid – he was taken out at the very first corner, a rival driver locking up and striking the Prema Powerteam Swede from behind.
With his disappointment deeply buried in the Mugello gravel traps, however, Beganovic retaliated with force on Sunday, again qualifying strongly to line up third on the grid for the concluding Race 2.
The Ferrari Driver Academy member then swept boldly around the outside of freshly crowned champion Grégoire Saucy on the opening lap, snatching second place and retaining it all the way home to complete a Prema 1-2 behind team-mate Paul Aron.
Along with his first overall podium of the season, Beganovic simultaneously finished first among the 2021 series newcomers, taking his second rookie win of the year.
“It is fantastic to finally stand on the podium, and especially after everything we’ve been through this weekend,” says Dino Beganovic. “I was completely heartbroken after Race 1, but was lifted up by all the incredible support I was receiving across social media and from everyone around me – that meant a lot.
“It was difficult going into Race 2 as I missed out on all the experience from the day before, but we’ve just been so fast this weekend. The team has done a great job, the car was almost perfect, and I’m super happy that we managed to turn it all around and finish off with our first podium and my second rookie win. This gives us great momentum heading into the last round of the season and I’m already keen for more!”
The 2021 Formula Regional European Championship finale will see the field remain in Italy, battling it out at Monza on October 29-31.
RESULTS
Formula Regional European Championship
Rd. 9 – Mugello (ITA)
RACE 1 (full results)
1: P. Aron (EST), Prema Powerteam
2: M. Belov (RUS), G4 Racing
3: D. Vidales (ESP), Prema Powerteam
4: W. Alatalo (FIN), Arden Motorsport
5: G. Saucy (SUI), ART Grand Prix
—
DNF: D. Beganovic (SWE), Prema Powerteam
RACE 2 (full results)
1: P. Aron (EST), Prema Powerteam
2: D. Beganovic (SWE), Prema Powerteam
3: G. Saucy (SUI), ART Grand Prix
4: M. Belov (RUS), G4 Racing
5: F. Colapinto (ARG), MP Motorsport
STANDINGS
Formula Regional European Championship
After 9/10 rounds
Overall (full standings)
1: G. Saucy (SUI), 264 p.
2: P. Aron (EST), 171 p.
3: H. David (FRA), 169 p.
4: Z. Maloney (BAR), 149 p.
5: F. Colapinto (ARG), 126 p.
—
14: D. Beganovic (SWE), 43 p.
Rookies (full standings)
1: I. Hadjar (FRA), 123 p.
2: G. Minì (ITA), 112 p.
3: M. Boya (ESP), 51 p.
4: D. Beganovic (SWE), 43 p.
5: G. Bortoleto (BRA), 40 p.
