Round 4 Post-Feature Race Press Conference

FIA Formula 2: Hello and welcome to Imola for our Feature Race press-conference. Our top three finishers today, in third place we have Dino Beganovic of Hitech TGR, second is Luke Browning also for Hitech TGR. And our race winner, Alexander Dunne for Rodin Motorsport. Alex, congratulations, your second Feature Race win of 2025. Your race looked like an attacking one, just talk us through it.

Alexander Dunne: Yeah I think it was definitely one of the tricker races. I think at the beginning I didn’t really feel like I quite had the pace, at least to go for the win. I think a couple of people around me were maybe a bit quicker and I was having to manage more than I would have liked. Also, when you are in that position it is very difficult to get a read on other people’s pace as they can seem very quick at the time and then fall off the cliff later on in the race. I definitely think on the Prime we were stronger than on the Option, that’s why I had to pit with everyone else. I think if I had gone one lap longer it would have been a different race. I was really starting to struggle on the Options. I think the pitstop was what won us the race, jumping two people in the pits without me having to force the issue on track and take away from the tyre, is a massive thing. So I think that’s pretty much what put me in the position to win today.

FIA Formula 2: There was a crucial phase after the Safety Car where you had traffic to clear. Tosa became your corner of choice to make some moves. How did you make those work because it’s not a place where you typically overtake someone?

Dunne: I think the typical overtaking opportunity is Turn 2 but because all the cars in front of me were all within DRS it was very difficult to make a move. I think naturally because of the tyre deficit I was quicker through the corners, two, three, five and six I was able to stay relatively close. I think a lot of them didn’t really expect the move, I just threw it down the inside and hoped for the best. It seemed to work pretty well. I think I made two moves there and kind of caught those drivers off guard. It was harder to overtake than expected to be honest. I think I got past, I can’t remember who, but the first car that was in front of me after the restart really easily. After than I got stuck for much longer than I would have liked but it seemed to be the same for everyone else. At that time, I initially though that maybe I was going to start to struggle but it seemed like all the other runners behind me were also struggling to overtake. It was a difficult position to be in, but I think I managed it well.

FIA Formula 2: Were you concerned about tyre degradation having to do that work?

Dunne: Of course I was concerned. The tyres at that point of the race didn’t feel as good as what I’d hoped they would. But it seemed like everyone was in a very similar position. I think at the end once I got into the lead and had a few laps of dirty air I think all the dirt and the marbles on my tyres had started to clear away and by the end of the race it was really good again. I think it’s just a scenario of managing it the best you can and not trying to be too eager when you’re stuck in a train.

FIA Formula 2: With that second win, you’re now the Championship leader, how good does that sound going into the rest of the triple header?

Dunne: It’s really nice. I think also to not get too caught up on where I am in the standings. Of course, leading the Championship is the best position to be in. But I think the most important thing is to be in the Championship at the end of the year, not now. Very happy but still a long way to go. Still there are some things naturally that we can improve on but of course we are in a very good position. I think the team and I are performing well at the moment.

FIA Formula 2: Luke, P2 today, another podium in F2 for you. That’s your fourth this year. Maybe not the step you’d have liked to be on today but how was the race from your car?

Luke Browning: I think it was probably where we deserve to be today. That’s probably were our pace ended up. I don’t think we would have caught Alex at the end. Actually it was a very interesting race, I think, like Alex, the pitstop got us to that position and that overcut lap was maximum push. That was I think one of the best laps I have ever done. It put me in the position to lead the guys in front. Obviously happy, I think the management of the race was really important after the pitstop we were in between the Prime starters, who had DRS, who didn’t, who to attack at the right time to not get caught up in a incident I think was the key to the race. I picked up a bit of luck with other drivers having unfortunate starts, but you have to make the most of this. That’s Formula 2.

FIA Formula 2: We saw that track position was crucial in the pitstop phase and there was a little battle with you and Dino, how careful were you to avoid any contact with your teammate?

Browning: Obviously it is difficult with teammates because naturally you want the best for each other but equally you are fighting for your own career. Unfortunate contact today but it is what it is.

FIA Formula 2: As we said, four podiums already in 2025, you must feel like that maiden win is coming soon?

Browning: Honestly I don’t mind. I won enough last year, and it didn’t get me the Championship so I am after the best Championship result, we can get in the end and if that’s consistently not winning but consistently picking up points then I am happy with that.

FIA Formula 2: Dino, thanks for waiting. A podium finish and 2-3 for the team. A good result but maybe not the one you were hoping for?

Dino Beganovic: Yeah 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. The guys did a great pitstop. In general I felt pretty good during the race pace-wise as well, managing my Primes. A lot was damaged after that first lap following the pitstops. In the end we pick up the podium, we pick up the points, we move into this triple header with some points and positives starting from pole.

FIA Formula 2: A tricky race today with balancing the need for track position with saving the tyres and DRS gaps. How tough is it from inside the car?

Beganovic: I think decision making was key today. Who to fight at what time, like Luke said, who to keep in DRS or who not to. A lot of things to keep in your mind when racing. The guys with the different strategy, just making sure that you race them at the end of the race and not really going for the risk with them. A different race, something that I have never experienced before. A good experience for the future.

FIA Formula 2: 2-3 for the team and you look to be quick going into the rest of the triple-header, a positive note to take away going into Monaco?

Beganovic: Definitely. Going into this European season let’s say, I’m very positive. Starting from here with good points and moving to Monaco, which is one of my favourite tracks on the calendar, I can’t wait to get back there.

FIA Formula 2: Well done Dino, congratulations everyone.