Dino Beganovic got a head start to life in Formula 2 by taking part in the final two rounds of last season. The Swede thrived, scoring three out of four times and earned a maiden podium along the way.

Now, he embarks on his full rookie campaign in Hitech TGR colours, and the experiences he gained last season form the foundations to high expectations as he aims to bounce back from a tricky year in F3 last time around.

“I'm really looking forward to starting the year having ended 2024 on a high, making my F2 debut in Qatar, and continuing with a very strong performance into Abu Dhabi, taking my first podium as well,” he said.

“It was very nice and very needed after a difficult year in Formula 3, so now I’m really looking forward to working with Hitech. I got a first taste in the postseason test, and they were very professional and very motivated to do a good job. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the team. I can't wait to get to the workshop to start working with them even closer now in January.

“I’ll be in the simulator, preparing the upcoming rounds at the start of the year, just trying to carry on what I started from my side in F2, and keep working with the team on what we built up in the post-season test.”

Reflecting further on the races he did in 2024, his results were a huge positive considering his lack of experience against his rivals, including several F3 rivals who had made the same pre-emptive jump ahead of 2025.

The Swede is eyeing up a strong start to 2025 after his impressive showings last year
The Swede is eyeing up a strong start to 2025 after his impressive showings last year

The Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy member believes that even when things weren’t going well across the Lusail and Yas Marina weekends, it was a learning opportunity that he appreciates looking back over the two weekends.

Having had the opportunity to experience instances when things didn’t go his way ahead of his debut with Hitech, he feels even more prepared than if things had gone perfectly to plan.

“It’s always good to have done some races before going into the full year as a rookie and getting to know the car from scratch. The only way of doing that is either do races or the tests that we have coming up. But it’s only one test before the year starts.

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“I was really keen on doing the last two rounds if there was an opportunity and I would be ready for it. I was able to qualify in P4 without any practice. That was a very good achievement. After that, it was just about learning as much as possible. That it went well was a huge bonus.

“I learned a lot, was able to write a lot down in my notebook to learn from. Things were quite different to Formula 3, not just in the driving the car but the approach to the races, pitstops for example on Sunday, it’s different strategy.

“I’m pleased and grateful that I got to do those two rounds, because going into this year I’m not feeling like a rookie after having done those two races.”

Beganovic got to work with the team at the Yas Marina post-season test in December
Beganovic got to work with the team at the Yas Marina post-season test in December

Looking ahead to what comes next, Beganovic delved into his preparations with the team ahead of pre-season testing and the campaign getting underway proper in Melbourne.

He says that having been able to work with the team during the end of year test at Yas Marina, there is already a good understanding to build upon when they arrive in Barcelona next month.

Then, it’s on to Melbourne, a venue where Beganovic secured victory at last season in Formula 3 and one he feels will potentially play to his and the team’s strengths.

“I’ve had some days on the sim with the team, building up that relationship with them and I feel like we got to a good point during the post-season test in Abu Dhabi. I’m just trying to build up from there and to make it better and better.

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“In terms of the car, it’s very different to F3. There’s more downforce and more power. I do think that it might suit my driving style, so far it looks that way anyway. I feel quite comfortable driving the car, so that’s always a good feeling to have as a driver.

“I’m trying to keep that feeling I had in the car last year, to build it up even more and to be even more comfortable in the car. There’s stuff that I could do even better, even if the rounds were good so far.

“Now I’m looking forward to building it up in the pre-season tests and before the first race in Melbourne. I have good memories there from last season, I feel comfortable with the track and hopefully we have a good pre-season test.”