DAMS Lucas Oil’s Dino Beganovic stormed to pole position with an impressive last-lap effort during Qualifying at the 2026 F2 Australian GP, full report and results below.
The weekend started with an interrupted but extremely competitive Free Practice session, as Gabriele Minì topped the timings with a dominant display. The Italian looked to be fast from the offset and built momentum early on. However, the MP driver’s suffered a loss of power as he entered the pit lane during a red flag period, ending his session prematurely. Meanwhile, two red flags were triggered during the session by Colton Herta and Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak, both falling victim to Albert Park’s unforgiving nature.
Heading into the session, Minì emerges as a strong contender for pole position ahead of Qualifying. However, the Italian will need to remain wary of both Campos Racing drivers, Nikola Tsolov and Noel León, who could challenge him for the top spot.
Time to set the grid for the first race of the season!
30 minutes ticked down as Qualifying got underway at the 2026 F2 Australian GP. The track got busy as majority of the field headed out onto the track. Track temperature increase since practice as drivers headed for their first exploratory laps.
Joshua Dürksen weaved his way through the field as he tried to find some space out on track. However, the first driver on a representative fast-lap was Minì, who set the pace in practice this morning. He crossed the line with a 1:32.199.
Behind the Italian, Sebastian Montoya was lighting up the timings, setting a purple middle sector. The Colombian’s efforts was enough to catapult him to second. All eyes were on Dino Beganovic and both Invicta Racing drivers who looked quick on their laps. The Swede’s first fast-lap was enough to jump to the top with a 1:29.953, before Dürksen and Rafael Câmara finished closely behind. As it stood, Beganovic, Dürksen, Câmara, Tsolov completed the top four.
After a strong showing at pre-season testing, an impressive lap from León saw him momentarily join the top five. But as times continued to tumble, Martinius Stenshorne found his way to the top of the timings with a 1:29.748, before Tsolov managed to beat him to the top with a 1:29.381.
Red flag for Boya at the exit of Turn 12
Pushing his car to the limit, Mari Boya found the barriers at the exit of Turn 12, triggering the first red flag of the session. All drivers soon returned to the pits and prepared for their next runs of the session. After a quick retrieval of Boya’s car, the session quickly resumed.
While majority of the grid headed back out on track, the MP Motorsport duo opted to remain in the pits. With a split of experience on the grid, many returning drivers were still in search of improvements. As it stood, rookies completed the top three: Tsolov, Stenshorne and Câmara.
With less than 17 minutes left on the clock, drivers soon set off on their next flying laps. León continued to light up the timing sheets, with a fastest middle sector. However, the Mexican aborted the lap and entered the pitlane.
The field took a split approach to their next runs of the session, with some staying in the pits while others continued on their laps. Alex Dunne had his lap time deleted for track limits, as the Irishman sat in 15th. After crashing in practice, Inthraphuvasak set off on his next attempt to improve from 7th. However, like León, the Thai driver also chose to abort the lap and returned to the pit lane ahead of the final runs.
Second red flag for Minì
11 minutes remained as majority of the field headed back out on track with a fresh set of tyres. As it stood, Tsolov had a three tenth advantage over Stenshorne, who was in 2nd. With track temperates at 33 degrees, the final shootout for pole commenced.
Like practice, Minì suffered a loss of power to his car once again. The Italian appeared visibly gutted and heartbroken as he looked set to achieve a promising result. All drivers then returned to the pits once again.
The final shootout for pole
With 2 minutes left on the clock, the field was eager to get going. Although Tsolov remained at the top, his competitors had one final chance to snatch pole.
Eagerly weaving through the circuit to bring their tyres up to temperature, drivers rushed to get around the circuit for a final flying lap. The first driver to set off on their final effort was Dunne. From 15th, an impressive final last lap from the Irishman saw him catapult to the top with a 1:29.039. However, lighting up the timings, Beganovic was on an impressive flyer. The Swede set a purple first and final sector to storm to the top with a 1:28.695.
Stenshorne and Dunne completed the top three, putting together an impressive result for Rodin Motorsport.
