The Final Lap Drama: Dino Beganovic Claims Pole Position for DAMS Lucas Oil
In a thrilling display of speed and strategy, the 2026 Formula 2 season's opening qualifying session delivered an unexpected twist. With the Aramco Pole Position Award at stake, it was Dino Beganovic who left it all on the final lap, snatching the top spot from under the noses of his rivals.
Beganovic, driving for DAMS Lucas Oil, set a scorching 1:28.695 lap time, outpacing the likes of Rodin Motorsport's Martinius Stenshorne and Alexander Dunne. This dramatic turn of events came after a series of red flags and last-minute changes in provisional pole positions.
The session began with Beginovic setting an initial benchmark, a 1:29.953, which was 0.094 seconds faster than his closest competitor, Joshua Duerksen. However, the battle for pole was far from over.
Rodin Motorsport's Stenshorne took the lead, but the drama intensified when Nikola Tsolov delivered a surprise improvement, snatching the top spot with a 1:29.381. The session was interrupted by a snap at Turn 12 involving Mari Boya, who thankfully emerged unharmed.
As qualifying resumed with 20 minutes left, the tension rose. Drivers changed to fresh Pirelli tyres but failed to improve their times. With 12 minutes remaining, Gabriele Minì's car encountered an issue, triggering another red flag. This left just three minutes on the clock, setting the stage for the final, decisive lap.
In the closing seconds, the pole position changed hands multiple times. It was Beginovic, however, who found the extra gear, crossing the line in 1:28.695 to secure the pole for DAMS. This result was a testament to his skill and the team's strategy.
The final standings saw Noel León in fourth, Tsolov in fifth, Rafael Câmara in sixth, and a close battle for the remaining positions. The first race of the 2026 season is set to begin on Saturday, with the Sprint Race starting at 14:10 local time. This thrilling qualifying session has certainly set the tone for an exciting season ahead.
