– Swede powers to emphatic pole and fastest lap in last race of season
– Cruel anticlimax sees Ferrari Driver Academy youngster taken out while on course for victory
Dino Beganovic was in resounding form at this weekend’s Formula Regional European Championship finale at Monza, storming to pole position and appearing all set for a breakthrough win in the highly rated single-seater series – only to suffer the most brutal of agonies at the Italian Grand Prix track.
Beganovic picked up where he left off last time out at Mugello, instantly on the pace and going second fastest in Friday free practice. The Swedish 17-year-old then bagged a fine fifth in the opening race on Saturday, recovering from 11th on the 35-car grid after traffic management issues held back the Prema Powerteam squad in first qualifying.
It was in Qualifying 2 on Sunday morning, however, that Beganovic truly delivered in force, mastering overnight rain to seal a commanding first pole position of the year – 0.351s clear of the opposition.
As a Ferrari Driver Academy member starting up front at the hallowed grounds of Monza, the pressure was on for Beganovic as the last race of the season got underway, but the Formula Regional rookie stayed in control and expertly maintained his lead across two safety car restarts.
Disaster would strike just a few laps from home, however, when a rival driver challenged for the lead but skated across a run-off area at the Della Roggia chicane, clipping a kerb and launching straight into the side of Beganovic – with both retiring on the spot.
Prior to his retirement, Beganovic had set the fastest lap of the race to underpin his pace.
“I can not begin to describe what I felt today,” says Dino Beganovic. “Leading the last race of a difficult season for me, controlling the restarts, finally showing our true potential – and then to be taken out by something as bizarre as this… It’s a tough one to swallow, especially as I had a large group of sponsors here this weekend. I would have loved to celebrate my first win with them, but I’m extremely proud of my performance this weekend. The pace has been outstanding.”
In his first year of Formula Regional European Championship competition, Beganovic has clinched one pole position, a best finish of second (Mugello, Race 2), two fastest laps and two rookie category wins. He ends the year 13th in the final overall standings and third among the rookies.
“All in all, it’s been a challenging season, but we’ve worked hard to turn it around and that has really paid dividends towards the end of the year,” Dino Beganovic concludes. “I have learned a lot in that process, looking for improvements and shaping my needs to those of the car. With where we are at, I would have wanted the season to start now!
“Most importantly, I want to take this opportunity to thank all the guys at Prema, FDA, all my sponsors, and all my fans. From racing through the streets of Monaco to starting on pole here at Monza, it has been a year I will never forget. Thank you all for making it happen.”
Details about Dino Beganovic’s 2022 racing programme will be made available in due course.
RESULTS
Formula Regional European Championship
Rd. 10 – Monza (ITA)
RACE 1 (full results)
1: H. David (FRA), R-Ace GP
2: I. Hadjar (FRA), R-Ace GP
3: Z. Maloney (BAR), R-Ace GP
4: G. Saucy (SUI), ART Grand Prix
5: D. Beganovic (SWE), Prema Powerteam
RACE 2 (full results)
1: I. Hadjar (FRA), R-Ace GP
2: P. Aron (EST), Prema Powerteam
3: H. David (FRA), R-Ace GP
4: K. Haverkort (NED), MP Motorsport
5: G. Minì (ITA), ART Grand Prix
—
DNF: D. Beganovic (SWE), Prema Powerteam
STANDINGS
Formula Regional European Championship
After 10/10 rounds
Overall (full standings)
1: G. Saucy (SUI), 277 p.
2: H. David (FRA), 209 p.
3: P. Aron (EST), 197 p.
4: Z. Maloney (BAR), 170 p.
5: I. Hadjar (FRA), 166 p.
—
13: D. Beganovic (SWE), 53 p.
Rookies (full standings)
1: I. Hadjar (FRA), 166 p.
2: G. Minì (ITA), 122 p.
3: D. Beganovic (SWE), 53 p.
4: M. Boya (ESP), 51 p.
5: G. Bortoleto (BRA), 44 p.
