– Season begins “at home” in Italy for Ferrari Driver Academy and Prema Powerteam youngster
– Thrilling races expected in support to F1’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola
The 2021 Formula Regional European Championship kicks off this weekend on the Formula 1 support bill at Imola (ITA), with Dino Beganovic good to go for his debut in one of motorsport’s most buzzing junior series of the moment.
With 12 teams and well in excess of 30 drivers on the grid, winter testing has suggested a fiercely competitive campaign ahead, as an off-season merger with the Formula Renault Eurocup has thrust the championship firmly into the single-seater limelight.
Beganovic steps up to Formula Regional competition after finishing third in the Italian F4 Championship last season, and the Swedish 17-year-old is keen to take on the challenge at the next level of the FIA single-seater pyramid.
“I’m ecstatic to be back racing again,” says Dino Beganovic. “Testing has shown how incredibly competitive this season will be, but we’re feeling ready and hopefully we have done our homework. I’m up to speed in the car and my outings in Asian F3 this winter have also helped with that. I’m good to go and can’t wait for first practice!”
The ten-round season will feature two races per weekend, and is off to a high-profile start with the opening three meetings all taking place as Formula 1 support events in Imola, Barcelona and Monaco respectively.
For Beganovic – a Ferrari Driver Academy member racing for the Italian Prema Powerteam – getting the season underway at Imola this weekend is particularly emotional.
“Imola will always hold a special place in my heart,” says Beganovic. “It’s where I had both my first pole position and my first win in car racing, in F4 last season, and it’s in Italy where I live and spend most of my time with FDA and Prema. It will be really special to start the season there, and even more so during a Formula 1 event.”
The 2021 Formula Regional European Championship begins with two 50-minute practice sessions on Friday. Saturday then marks the busiest day of the weekend with two qualifying sessions of 20 minutes each, as well as the first race of the season (30 mins + 1 lap). The meeting concludes on Sunday with Race 2 (30 mins + 1 lap).
All races and qualifying sessions are live-streamed at www.dinoracing.se throughout the year.
TIME TABLE
Formula Regional European Championship
Rd. 1 – Imola (ITA)
Friday 16 April
Free Practice 1: 09.30-10.20
Free Practice 2: 12.30-13.20
Saturday 17 April
Qualifying 1: 09.55-10.15
Qualifying 2: 13.00-13.20
Race 1: 17.20 (30 min + 1 lap)
Sunday 18 April
Race 2: 12.15 (30 min + 1 lap)
Streaming, timing and results:
www.dinoracing.se
www.formularegionaleubyalpine.com
