– Ferrari Driver Academy racer strikes the wall after jostling for second place
– Strong Macau debut brings an end to 2023 racing season
Dino Beganovic was forced to retire from the 2023 Macau Grand Prix – FIA F3 World Cup after encountering the Guia circuit’s infamous barriers when battling over second place in the world’s biggest junior motor race.
After taking fourth in Saturday’s qualification race, Beganovic started F3’s blue-riband event on the second row, showcasing encouraging early pace following overnight tweaks to his SJM Theodore PREMA Racing machine.
The Ferrari Driver Academy member quickly moved up to third on the opening lap, and a few tours later charged through for second – determined to catch up to the leader just ahead. However, Beganovic overshot the treacherous braking point at Lisboa Bend and struck the outside barrier.
The day thus ended in disappointment for the Swede, bringing a premature close to an otherwise largely convincing first appearance at the legendary Macau street course.
“It’s obviously very disappointing, but we went into this race with the intent of winning – nothing else – and that’s what I tried to do,” says Dino Beganovic. “I had a good start and the pace was fantastic today. I was a lot quicker and went for second place at the first opportunity. Unfortunately I braked a bit too late on the marbles and hit the wall. It’s tough from such a strong position, but I would love to come back here next year and give it another go. Overall it’s been an incredible experience.”
Beganovic’s first visit to Macau featured third place in qualifying, and fourth in the qualification race. The famous Chinese event brings down the curtain on Beganovic’s 2023 racing programme, which resumes in 2024 with a second season in the FIA Formula 3 Championship with PREMA Racing.
RESULTS
FIA F3 World Cup
Macau Grand Prix (CHN)
1: L. Browning (GBR), Hitech Pulse-Eight, 15 laps
2: D. Hauger (NOR), MP Motorsport, +0.347s
3: G. Minì (ITA), SJM Theodore PREMA Racing, +0.699s
4: M. Boya (ESP), MP Motorsport, +1.038s
5: J. Martí (ESP), Campos Racing, +1.309s
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DNF: D. Beganovic (SWE), SJM Theodore PREMA Racing, +13 laps
