There was nothing more Hitech TGR’s Dino Beganovic could have done today after finishing P3 during Sunday’s Feature Race at the F2 Imola GP. After Qualifying on pole, the Hitech driver became the first Swede to do so and received the newly introduced Aramco Pole Position award on Friday. However, a storming Alex Dunne and having lost positions after his pit stop ultimately costed him a chance at claiming his maiden F2 win.
During the post-Feature Race press conference attended by Pit Debrief, the Swedish driver reflected and shared his thoughts on what was an eventful Feature Race.
Not the easiest race, but happy overall
Last time out, Beganovic had a disappointing weekend in Jeddah and walked away without scoring any points. Reflecting on his race, the Swedish driver was delighted with his performance this weekend. Beganovic admitted it wasn’t the easiest of races but felt confident overall. Crediting the podium-success to both his and Hitech’s management of the race, the Swede was generally happy with how the race unfolded.
“Yes, not the easiest race. I think we did a good job in general on the option tyre. We seemed quite strong and I was quite happy and the guys did a great pit stop. In general, I felt pretty good during the race, pace-wise as well, managing my primes.”
Despite leading early in the race, Beganovic was held up for several laps by ART GP’s Victor Martins—who stalled at the start and was a lap down—creating unnecessary traffic for the Swede. Despite frustrations, the Swedish driver saw the podium, pole and points as a major positive from the weekend.
“A lot was damaged after that lap one, after the pit stop. In the end, we pick up the podium, we pick up the points and we move into this triple header with some points and positive, obviously, starting from pole.”
Decision-making key to success today
After an early pit stop, drivers on the traditional option-prime strategy had to play the long game—extending and managing their prime tyres to the end. Both Beganovic and teammate Luke Browning agreed that choosing the right battles proved to be key today. Adding that it was a race he hadn’t experience before but one that would serve as valuable experience moving forward.
“I think decision-making was key today, who to fight in the right time, like Luke [Browning] says, who to keep in DRS or who to not to. A lot of things to keep in head when racing.”
“Obviously, the guys with the different strategy and making sure that you race them in the end of the race and not really go for the race with them. A different race, something that I’ve never experienced before, but a good experience for the future.”
Headed into the second round of the triple-header, the Swede said he is feeling “very positive”. Adding that his results in Imola has fuelled him confidence moving onto Monaco, Beganovic expressed his excitement to get racing once again in the Principality.
“Definitely. Going into this European season, let’s say, I’m very positive, obviously, starting from here. Good points and now moving to Monaco, which is one of my favourite spots of the calendar. I can’t wait to come back there.”
Stalling in the current generation of F2 cars
Across both seasons with the current generation of F2 cars, several drivers have struggled to get off the line. Today, ART GP’s Victor Martins and PREMA’s Sebastian Montoya were the latest to succumb to the issue. When asked about the difficulty of launching these cars off the line, Beganovic echoed sentiments shared by Dunne and Browning. The Swedish driver described the situation as “unfortunate” for the pair, who had looked to be strong contenders today.
“I mean, Alex [Dunne] and Luke [Browning] said most of it, but yeah, just unfortunate for Victor [Martins] and Sebas [Montoya] today. They were starting in a great position and you never want something bad to the other driver to happen.”
“So yeah, just unfortunate. I don’t know what the reason is, why they stalled today, but yeah, it’s just to move on, let’s say.”, Beganovic said.
“We did everything right” says Beganovic
Before his pitstop, Beganovic maintained his pace out in front. However, it was only after where the race win slipped away out of reach for the Swede. From that point on, Beganovic explained he had to settle for the position they were in—though noting that he would not have changed anything about his approach today.
Beganovic said, “I think before the stop, we did everything right. Also, my outlap felt good.”
“But like I said, that first lap after the stop kind of damaged our race. And from there on, we kind of had to accept in the position we were in. But honestly, I would not have changed anything in the race if I could have.”
Media turmoil have not affected anything at Hitech
Just recently, news surrounding Hitech’s Director Oliver Oakes‘ resignation from his Team Principal role at the BWT Alpine F1 Team came shortly after his brother’s William Oakes‘ arrest for fraudulent activity. When asked whether the media turmoil had affected operations at Hitech, Beganovic explained that nothing has changed. However, “pretty pleased” with their first double podium of the year, Beganovic and Hitech remained unphased by the chaos.
“I mean, first double podium of the year [for Hitech]. Obviously, we are pretty pleased with this. We will always be pleased with the double podium.”
“Then for the rest, we have been working as before in the simulator preparation and on track. Nothing has really changed for us. So we have been focused on what’s going on at the track, and that’s about it.”
Imola: A driver’s track
As the possibility of Imola leaving the calendar still lingers, the uncertainty of its renewal remains unknown. A track which holds lots of memories and sentiment for Beganovic, the Swedish driver explained his excitement returning to Imola every year. Echoing similar thoughts to Browning, the Swede recalled the thrill of a qualifying lap around the track.
“Yeah, I really love this track. Great memories from when I was in F4 and regional winning. My first single-seater race here in pole position, so I always love coming back here, racing.”
“Like Luke [Browning] said, qualifying lap is something spectacular on this track, and also I can’t believe what it’s like driving F1 car around here. It must feel just incredible.”
Emphasising how much drivers appreciate the track’s history and technical demands, Beganovic called the track a true “drivers circuit” that is rewarding.
“I was speaking with Gabi [Gabriel] yesterday, Bortoleto, and he was saying it’s something else driving F1 car on this track. It gives that extra bit of smile on your face, adrenaline, and it would be really a shame to not come back here.”
The Swedish driver said,“I think most drivers really enjoy this track, the history, and obviously the just technical part of this track. I think it’s a driver’s track that you need flow and, like Alex said, being comfortable with the car.”
Consistency will be needed to stay on top
In 2025, 13 rookies joined the F2 grid with a lot to prove. Having reached the penultimate step of the single-seater ladder, the caliber of these young talents is undeniable.
Beganovic said: “I think coming from F3, this generation, and like Luke [Browning] said before, the generation right now is very strong. It’s difficult to consistently be up there, because there are so many talented drivers in Formula 2 right now.”
“But, I mean, F2 is about seeing the big picture, which is, obviously, our goal is to be in Formula 1 one day, fight for the championship, obviously, in the end of this year, build up our championship step by step.”
“So I think this generation is just really strong, and obviously consistency will take you a long way.”
With four rounds completed, ten rounds remain with lots of points to yet to be claimed. The Swede acknowledged the situation of the championship currently. With frequent changes in race winners, Beganovic teases an exciting season and one he looks forward to continuing.
“It’s very tight in the championship. It’s not like, well, I don’t know if Alex [Dunne] has gone away now, but nobody’s really gone away from the other one. So I think it will keep going like this. Sometimes, I mean, we have often had different race winners.”
“So it’s exciting, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Confidence after podium moving onto the next two races
Living close enough to the track, the Ferrari-backed driver explained how Imola is always special to him as its the closest he has to a home race.
“Yes, like you said, it’s always special for me to come here. I’m going to do my debrief now with the team and then go back home and watch the F1 race.”
“Laying [on] the sofa, maybe have a pizza.”, he joked.
Thanks to thorough preparation and feeling comfortable in the car, Beganovic was confident headed into the Imola GP. Looking ahead to tracks like Monaco and Barcelona, the start of the European leg of the season marks a fresh start to his 2025 campaign after a tougher-than-expected beginning to the year.
“Very confident coming into this weekend. Felt like the preparation was good and also just the feeling with the car all weekend was good and the rest of the year so far. This definitely gives confidence for the rest of the year.”
“Going into Monaco again, a track that I really like. Barcelona as well, where we were strong last year. Like I said on Friday, it feels like a bit of a new championship starting for me now in the European season. It was a tougher start of the year than I was expecting, but now it’s a new start and we started well.”
Up next, Formula 2 is back racing on the streets of Monaco from May 23rd to 25th.
