Formula 2 (F2) takes on Montreal for the first time as Dino Beganovic and the rest of the grid arrive for the Canadian GP. The DAMS Lucas Oil driver comes into Montreal after securing a podium in Miami that has kept him hungry for more.
From the simulator to the track
The weekend will be exciting, as it is the first time the F2 drivers take on the challenge of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Speaking ahead of the weekend, Beganovic comes prepared and excited about being in Canada for more than just the racing.
“It’s been nice to be here in Montreal. Obviously it’s nice to go around the city and as I am a big ice hockey fan, it’s also nice to be here as they’ve made it to this play-off in the semi-final now, so it’s very cool.
“They’re playing the first game tonight, so I’m going to be cheering them on and I’m going to wear a jersey as well.
“Other than that, it’s great to be here. I’ve driven the track many, many times on the simulator and in the F1 games many times before. So it’s great to be here.
“It’s nice to come to a track again that is new, a bit like Miami, that everything is kind of reset for everybody. And I really enjoyed that challenge because you can kind of step up and show what you’re capable of. So I’m really looking forward to it.”
Beganovic: “Last turn is where you can lose or gain everything”
As Beganovic mentioned, he has been preparing for the Canadian track on the simulator and knows it well from playing the F1 game. Still, getting out there in the actual F2 car will be a different experience. However, given how well he handled the unfamiliarity of Miami, the Swede is no stranger to new circuits. The challenge will be considerable, as the margin for error does not leave room for mistakes to go unpunished.
Speaking about the track, the DAMS driver said: “I like it. Basically, every corner is a chicane apart from one. So it’s very cool that it’s like that. It gives a direction for what you need from a car to be fast here and it’s always the change of direction. Ride as well, being able to take the curbs, I think it will be quite important.
“It’s something that you need to try out in FP, trying different lines, trying different ways to take the curbs. That will be one of my focus points for the first time on track tomorrow.
“The toughest part of the track must be the last corner. It’s known as the Wall of Champions. When you’re on a quali lap, good or bad, the last turn is where you can lose or gain everything. It’s a very important part of the circuit, and there’s a lot of pressure and a very long straight to think about many things going into there.
“You just need to lock in and stay focused before that turn, take it home and maximise everything.”
Beganovic hopeful for the 2026 F2 title
Despite it being early in the season, Beganovic is already focused on grabbing the F2 title. Currently, the Ferrari Academy Driver sits seventh in the standings. After an unfortunate car failure that led to a DNF in Australia, the driver bounced back well in Miami. Now, he hopes to replicate the good result this weekend.
“Hopefully we get a good result on Sunday like Miami, but a stronger qualifying is something we will focus on. Trying to maximise that, being in the front, looking at the big picture and the championship, you need to stay in the front and always be there in both races.
“The focus is to have a good qualifying and take the weekend from there because we know we have normally a pretty good race car and can move forward in the race.
“A result like Miami helps a lot because obviously it’s a bit more what we deserve after Melbourne. To get that result in Miami is definitely something we deserve. Looking at the standings now, there’s a bit of thinking of what could have been, but we’re just going to take it race by race and focus on our job.
“I think we will be rewarded for what we’re doing like we did in Miami. We know we have the pace, the teamwork is great. I’m just looking forward to keep working with these guys.”
Fresh off his podium finish, it will be exciting to see where Beganovic and DAMS end up this weekend in Canada, and whether they are ready to fight at the front of the field moving forward.
