Hitech claim a hat-trick of F2 podiums in Imola

Round 4 got off to an auspicious start on Friday when Dino Beganovic stormed to a maiden Pole in Qualifying after a fantastic lap that showcased a strong turn in performance since the season-opening rounds.

It was a hugely significant Pole Position: his first in Formula 2, the first by a Swede in the modern F2 era, delivered in front of a ‘home’ crowd of Tifosi, and he also became the first driver to claim the first-ever Aramco Pole Position Award in the series.

Luke Browning secured a strong fourth row start for the Feature Race with P7, which would prove equally decisive come Sunday.

The reverse grid Sprint Race saw Luke line up on the grid in P4, while Dino started from P10. The Williams Racing Academy driver kept Martins firmly in his mirrors while focusing on Miyata ahead, determined to reel him in and take his third podium in the series, which started to look inevitable by Lap 13.

In the meantime, Dino looked to be lining up a move on Duerksen for the final points-paying position, but a wide moment out of Variante Alta allowed Stanek to go through.

Luke finally cleared Miyata on Lap 14, taking advantage of the second-corner opportunity when his rival lost DRS. He finished third while Dino had dropped out of the points to P12.

Dino got a strong start from pole position in today’s 35-lap Feature Race and defended well from Fornaroli behind, who had just as much at stake in front of the Italian crowd. Ahead of the Ferrari Academy Driver, almost a lap down, was Martins, recovering from a more difficult start to his race and posing a threat to the hard-charging race leader who was bearing down on him. The team took the decision to pit Dino to put him back out in free air but there was a small hold-up in the pitlane as Goethe made his way through.

As further early-stoppers made their way in, Luke briefly held P2 before also pitting to switch from the Supersoft tyre to the Soft. Now on the same strategy as Dino, a breathless three-way battle ensued along with Dunne, and Luke was able to get past his team-mate.

The Safety Car was deployed on lap 15 for a stranded Villagomez, which tightened the pack, but when the track went green Luke set about displacing Esterson into Piratella, but Dunne was through on team-mate Amaury Cordeel into Variante Alta to put another car between himself and Luke, his closest rival for the win.

Onto Lap 24 and after several attempts, Browning got past Cordeel at Turn 2 but once again, Dunne immediately put another car between them, passing Miyata into Tosa with a dive down the inside. Browning continued to run fifth behind those yet to pit on the alternative strategy until Lap 29, when he passed Stanek for fourth at Turn 2. Just behind, Dino did the same with Cordeel on the same lap.

A lap later, Luke passed Marti to move up to second, by which time Dunne had a dominant lead ahead.

The Briton secured his fourth podium of the season – and his second of the weekend – with P2, having gained five places. Dino finished third to claim his second trophy of the season.

Luke now sits in second place in the Drivers’ Standings, just six points between him and Dunne. Dino moves into 9^th place. Hitech TGR retains P1 in the Teams’ battle.