– Ferrari Driver Academy youngster wins at Spa-Francorchamps
– Swede scores important double podium to extend FRECA points lead
Dino Beganovic struck back with force in the battle for this year’s Formula Regional European Championship crown to extend his points lead with a commanding victory and double podium at Spa-Francorchamps.
Beganovic arrived at the Belgian Grand Prix track looking for retaliation after struggling last time out in Hungary, and duly delivered in emphatic style – scoring a lights-to-flag victory in the first race of the meeting after qualifying on pole position.
In Sunday’s concluding Race 2, the Swedish Prema Powerteam racer then wrapped up a highly fruitful weekend with third place, beaten only by a pair of new-tyre shod drivers and finishing ahead of both his main title rivals.
“Yes! What a weekend – exactly what we were looking for,” says Dino Beganovic. “We did a good job in practice dialling in the car for qualifying, and managed to put it on pole for Race 1 and clinch the victory. Then in Race 2, I used a safety car restart to overtake my team-mate and take another podium. After Budapest, we were determined to fight back and show our true potential, and that’s what we did, so I’m very, very happy with this weekend. We are back where we belong.”
Following the weekend at Spa, Beganovic has extended his championship lead to 41 points with three rounds of the 2022 season remaining.
The Formula Regional European Championship now takes a well-earned six-week summer break, with racing resuming at the Red Bull Ring in Austria on September 9-11.
RESULTS
Formula Regional European Championship
Rd. 7 – Spa-Francorchamps (BEL)
RACE 1 (full results)
1: D. Beganovic (SWE), Prema Powerteam
2: S. Meguetounif (FRA), MP Motorsport
3: E. Barrichello (BRA), Arden
4: P. Aron (EST), Prema Powerteam
5: L. Fluxa (ESP), R-ACE GP
RACE 2 (full results)
1: G. Bortoleto (BRA), R-ACE GP
2: H. David (FRA), R-ACE GP
3: D. Beganovic (SWE), Prema Powerteam
4: P. Aron (EST), Prema Powerteam
5: E. Barrichello (BRA), Arden
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Formula Regional European Championship
After 7/10 rounds (full standings)
1: D. Beganovic (SWE), 220 p.*
2: G. Minì (ITA), 179 p.
3: P. Aron (EST), 176 p.
4: H. David (FRA), 147 p.
5: K. Haverkort (NED), 128 p.
* Paul Ricard Race 2 podium under appeal. Dino originally finished second in the race, but was subsequently disqualified for an alleged technical irregularity. Prema have appealed the decision. With official confirmation pending, the current championship standings shown here denote zero points for Paul Ricard Race 2.
