F1 learnings and improving every detail: Dino Beganovic on growth from F3 to F2

Dino Beganovic is aiming for the FIA Formula 2 title in 2026 and has been a consistent front runner in any Championship the Swede has competed in.

So what does the DAMS Lucas Oil and Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy talent believe has changed since he made his F3 debut in 2023 to becoming an F2 Championship contender in 2026?

The Swedish driver details what he thinks has come on the most, what he’s learned and how his work with Ferrari in Formula 1 has helped his career.

“I think from when I stepped up to F3, there was definitely a lot of things that I had to work on in my rookie year in F3 as well that maybe are one of my stronger points now.

“One of those is building a weekend in Formula 2 and Formula 3, but we only have one FP and then go straight into quali, which was a big change for me. You come from F4 or Regional where we have a lot of testing before, so building your weekend has been a big difference.

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“I've been improving and staying in control of what you're doing and not getting lost in what others are doing or thinking. As well as that, race management has been again one of my stronger points this past season.

“Race management together with tyre management and racecraft. So it's nice to see the progression but there are still things to learn and improve, but I definitely think it's a good step from where it all started.

“It's important to understand what you are doing to the tyres and what the tyre needs and what the tyre doesn't want. It sounds very simple, but it's super complicated to understand. But once you have it, I think now I can go on baselines let's say, which works for Formula 1 and Formula 2 which have a general way of managing them well.

“There are still many things you wish you knew then the way you know it now, but obviously everything can't be like that and now I'm a lot older, and wiser, I have learned a lot more. So it’s not purely just about adding speed, but a lot is in knowledge of how everything is working.

“It was a dream to drive a Formula 1 car...but now I want more and I need to be in Formula 2 performing well"

“My role with Ferrari as well has changed quite a lot since it all started. I'm a big part of the simulator programme now in development of this year's car and doing TPC programme a few times which I wasn't doing back then.

“It was a dream to drive a Formula 1 car, but now it's always a joy, a different joy, to drive a Formula 1 car and especially when it's a Ferrari. To be a part of that is special and the role I have is very important, so I feel very, very privileged to be a part of it.

“But I want more and I know that to achieve that, I need to be in Formula 2 performing well. While there’s not exactly parallels with how you drive an F1 and F2 car, there are little technical parts you are able to apply in the right moment.

“This is what I've learned over time and that has gotten a lot better since I did my first FP1 and that I've learned a lot from the F1 in terms of structure.

“For me, I need to be structured, but also for the team to be structured in such a way that they are at a very professional level, and that's something I've taken and also developed when I'm in the simulator with my feedback of the car and how I speak to the engineers. That has gotten a lot better since when I started.

“In the end, it’s mainly about having a lot more knowledge than when I started in F3. The speed is very tough to change, and the speed is there from the beginning. So I wouldn't say I'm faster, but I'm definitely smarter and able to use it in different ways.”