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Beganovic Balances F2 Frustrations with F1 Learning Curve
Ferrari Driver Academy member Dino Beganovic reflects on a challenging Formula 2 campaign, explaining how valuable F1 sessions and insights from Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are helping to rebuild his confidence for a second-half push.
By Lesley Bakker - 2026-08-11 11:42:03.355 - 4 min read
Dino Beganovic believes he is currently performing at the highest level of his career, a personal benchmark that stands in stark contrast to a Formula 2 season defined by fluctuating results. The DAMS Lucas Oil driver has experienced a campaign marked by both significant highs and frustrating setbacks, leading to a mixed first half of the year.
His season began with considerable promise, securing pole position at the opening round in Melbourne. This was followed by podium finishes in the Feature Races in Miami and Monte Carlo, underscoring his potential. However, these strong performances were often overshadowed by moments where promising positions turned into missed opportunities, notably retirements while battling for victory in both Melbourne and Montreal.
Beganovic points to these non-finishes as critical turning points. He candidly acknowledges that without these incidents, his position in the overall standings would likely be significantly stronger. The Swedish driver currently sits seventh with 79 points, an 88-point deficit to championship leader Nikola Tsolov, leaving him mathematically in contention but realistically distant.
Reflecting on the lost points, Beganovic conveys a sense of frustration, yet it is tempered by an underlying calm. He found reassurance in the demonstrated pace and competitive potential of his car, particularly in those races where mechanical issues or incidents prevented him from capitalizing. The 22-year-old prioritizes maximizing every opportunity and extracting the full potential from his package, a goal not always realized this season.
This season’s challenges arrive even as Beganovic feels he has continued to evolve as a driver. He carried significant momentum from the conclusion of the previous year, where he consistently scored points in 11 of the final 14 races, including a Sprint Race win in Baku and a Feature Race podium. This experience, combined with his two seasons in Formula 3, has fostered a more complete and strategically astute approach on track.
While his race craft and overall management of a weekend have improved, Beganovic admits that qualifying performances have been a particular area of struggle this year. Despite this, he underscores a continuous personal development, feeling smarter in wheel-to-wheel battles and more capable in guiding his team through race weekends.
Beyond his Formula 2 duties, Beganovic has maintained an active role within the Ferrari driver development program, participating in tests and several Formula 1 Free Practice 1 sessions. These opportunities are not merely about seat time; he views them as invaluable learning experiences, particularly from two of the sport’s most decorated figures: Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
His first FP1 session of the current year saw him in Hamilton’s car at Barcelona, a new experience after driving Leclerc’s machine in previous outings. Beganovic speaks highly of Hamilton’s infectious motivation and dedication, finding inspiration in the seven-time world champion’s undiminished desire to win. Similarly, he observes Leclerc’s relentless pursuit of a world championship with Ferrari, absorbing these insights and applying them to his leadership role at DAMS in Formula 2, much like a 'sponge'.
The demanding nature of a mixed F2 season inevitably impacted his confidence at times. Beganovic confesses to being hard on himself when results fall short of expectations. However, his work with the Ferrari Formula 1 team has served as a powerful reminder of his capabilities and a crucial tool in rebuilding that self-belief.
He specifically highlights his F1 performances in Barcelona and Austria as instrumental in this regard. His pace in Austria, particularly on the medium tyre, saw him running very close to Hamilton’s times. These high-pressure environments, on familiar and highly competitive circuits, offered a clear affirmation of his speed and talent, providing a boost he intends to carry forward.
As the season progresses, Beganovic plans to leverage this renewed confidence to stage a strong comeback. He emphasizes a race-by-race mentality, shifting focus away from the championship standings and instead concentrating on extracting maximum performance from himself and his car in every single session.