Falling down in order to pick yourself up: this is Dino Beganovic.
- Cristina Mazzotti
- Nov 3, 2022
- 4 min read
Surely one of the most talked about drivers in the past year, especially after his title win in FRECA , but who really is Dino Beganovic? Because not all that glitters is gold, and it hasn’t been an easy journey to get where he’s at now.
His journey from 2020 till now
At the beginning of 2020, before turning 16 Dino entered the Ferrari Driver Academy program, still a child but with a big future ahead. Signing with Prema for the 2020 season he joined teammates Gabriel Bortoleto, Gabriele Miní and Sebastian Montoya to then take 3rd place overall in the F4 Italian Championship with six podiums and a victory, not bad for being a rookie.
Beganovic continues his journey with Prema Team in the 2021 season, taking part in the Asian F3 championship, bringing home a total of 4 podiums, and in the FRECA championship alongside Paul Aron and David Vidales. Tough season for the Swede that ends up P13 overall due to lack of luck and some technical problems all year long, certainly frustrating since expectations were higher, but lots learned and head on the next chapter, The Big one.
Beginning of 2022 Dino takes again part in the Asian F3 championship that changed its name to FRAC, Formula Regional Asian Championship, with Mumbai Falcons a support team to Prema Racing. Not the beginning of the year Beganovic was hoping for, certainly the few podiums and one victory he got were good results reflecting his pace and talent, but not everything went the way he wished for, some DNF’s and struggles left a bittersweet taste to the 2022 FRAC championship, but more motivation than ever to do good in the FRECA championship.
Once again with Prema Team, Dino Beganovic will compete in the FRECA championship for the second year in a row alongside previous teammates Aron and Montoya and with the addition of the Emirati Hamda Al Qubaisi. Blasting start of the season that sees the Swede getting P1 and P2 in the first 3 races of the calendar, few difficulties over the next few races but that will eventually bring him back on the podium.
With 12 podiums and 4 wins Dino Beganovic becomes the 2022 FRECA champion with one race to go on the Saturday of Mugello, a moment where suddenly everything stopped for him, the nervousness, the tension, everything went away and a sigh of relief was finally taken.
The right people by his side
Motorsport can be a lot sometimes, a rollercoaster of emotions, learning to live far from home, a lot of self-work, and having the right people by your side helps the process. Dino and his family are a proof of that, a simple and humble family that worked very hard to bring him where he’s at now, and made sure he wasn’t missing anything. His parents, Fikret and Mirnesa, alternated between races to make sure to always be by his side, so that he would never lack the support of one or the other, Emir his brother also came a few times and when he couldn’t he would support from home, like some of Dino’s friends did too.
The people around Dino surely helped shaping the person he’s become throughout the years: a kind and funny teammate, a strong opponent but also a very hardworking, independent person in both racing and life.
After bringing Sweden back on top, he ran to hug his mom and brother, his whole team, his mechanic and engineer and the proceeded to go on the podium to take the title in front of everyone. After the interviews and all, Fikret took Dino back to the tent with him, holding him tightly with a smile on his face that held all the pride of a father that saw all the worries fade away from his son’s face, leaving him with a beautiful smile and few tears.
Friendships come above everything
In an environment where everyone is your rival, maintaining friendships is always important: Dino Beganovic showed that even your “enemy” can be your best friend, in fact he’s always seen around the paddock together with his grid mates, Ogaard, Gnos, Miní, Aron and many others with whom he created a bond. Between jokes and laughs Beganovic and his mates always find time to spend with each other, to release the tension that builds up on a racing weekend, but also to get the feeling of being at “home” since all of them know how hard it is to be away from it so often and for so long.
A year long rivalry ended with a big hug, the one between the Swede and the Italian Miní, previously teammates but also great friends, who fought till the last race for that title. Miní who had to retire because of a contact, immediately went to congratulate his long-time friend Beganovic with a hug, and a few words of encouragement and regard; because after all friendships come above everything.
What now?
A few days after his success Beganovic was announced by Prema, to race with them in the FIA F3 championship alongside Aron for the moment. No time to rest as it’s already time to prepare and focus for the 2023 season: 10 rounds in 3 continents, new venues and remaining ones, what will this season bring to Dino?
Certainly with the confidence gained this year and the overall growth of the Swede, big things await him. The level is really high and we know for a fact it won’t always be easy, but we also know Dino will always find a way to overcome any difficulties, with the same people he’s always had by his side and who knows even some new ones.
We wish all the best for his future and a lot of success, but mainly for him to remain the kind and humble kid he’s always been.
Let’s see what’s coming next, stay tuned!
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