Dino Beganovic took his first proper steps into the world of Formula E during the 2025 Berlin Rookie Test, representing Mahindra Racing. Following an FP1 outing with Ferrari in Formula 1 and a busy Formula 2 campaign, the 21-year-old embraced the challenge of learning an entirely new category.
After completing both the morning and afternoon sessions at Tempelhof, Beganovic finished a respectable 12th overall, a strong showing for a driver still wrapping his head around the unique demands of electric single-seaters.
“New car, new environment, new everything”
Speaking to select media, including Pit Debrief, Beganovic discussed what he hoped to gain from the test. He admitted his focus was squarely on learning rather than lap times. “I think my main goal for this test is a better experience in a new car, new environment — everything is quite new at the moment,” he explained. “So I’m looking just to build up that experience, take away a lot of stuff and hopefully come away from this test knowing a bit more about Formula E, but also how these cars work and obviously how they’re quick, how they are efficient in the way they’re driving.”
Drawing confidence from Mahindra’s recent form
Mahindra’s strong performance during the Berlin E-Prix — including a podium finish for Edoardo Mortara — didn’t go unnoticed by Beganovic. While he was keen to keep his test efforts in perspective, he acknowledged the positive atmosphere within the team. “I think what they are doing during the race weekend is, I’m not really a part of so much,” he admitted. “But looking for tomorrow again, you never know what the other teams are doing. You can really just compare to yourself and your teammates.”
“The main thing for tomorrow [Rookie Test] will be completing the whole run plan, getting as many laps as possible in and come away with a new experience.”
“Obviously, it gives a good feeling also watching the race and a good feeling in the team that it’s going well,” he said. “But I’m not being so much a part of it as maybe I would, if I would have done the test before or so on. So it’s still very new to me.”
“I did a couple of mistakes in the sim — just trying to shift up”
With a testing programme that followed an F1 practice session and F2 commitments, Beganovic’s transition to Formula E required a complete mental reset. The differences between the categories were stark — and sometimes a bit funny. When asked by Pit Debrief if Beganovic has noticed any differences with the Formula E car, he said with a smile, “Definitely huge differences in terms of sound. First one, no gears.”
“Did a couple of mistakes in the sim, just trying to shift up, but it didn’t go in. Changed something on the wheel, but they didn’t know what it was. So I had to ask the engineers what it was and come back to the original one.”
Beyond that, the differences in driving style were significant. “There’s a big difference in terms of also how you drive the car and how you’re quick in the car, how you use all the systems to your benefit. When braking, when off throttle, when on throttle. And also with the 350 [kW] being a big part of it.”
Is Formula E in the cards for Beganovic?
When asked whether Formula E would be a viable long-term destination — like it has been for fellow F2 graduates Taylor Barnard and Zane Maloney — Beganovic was clear-eyed about his aspirations, while acknowledging Formula E’s rising prominence. “I think it’s eye-catching for many drivers. Like I said, this is one of the strongest grids that there is in the championship. So my main goal remains the same, which is Formula 1. I think for many drivers it is. But I think where this championship is heading, it’s definitely in the right direction for the future.”
“Still the same DNA, which is racing cars”
With such a packed calendar, preparation for Beganovic had to be carefully managed ahead of the Formula E Rookie Test in Berlin. “Preparation-wise, I’ve just been focussing on obviously F1 and F2. I’ve had to put it together and combine it a bit,” he said, when asked by Pit Debrief about his preparations for the Rookie Test. “But for this, I’ve just focused separately and tried to not mix it to my normal, let’s say, season — which is Formula 2.”
“Just having this separate, going all in for this test. Obviously, luckily, it’s straight after Silverstone and I’ve been able to just switch off that completely and focus on this. So it’s been helpful. If it was straight after a race weekend to a test like this, it would be a bit more challenging. But again, very different, but it’s still the same DNA, which is racing cars.”
