After a start to the 2023 FIA F3 Championship that was full of ups and downs, Prema was able to come to Monaco with a competitive package. Dino Beganovic and Paul Aron had a terrific qualifying to line up in second and third place on the grid; the two drivers were able to hold onto their starting positions in the Feature Race and join race winner Gabriele Minì on the podium. Zak O’Sullivan also managed to get into the points on Sunday, finishing a brilliant seventh after having started the race on the seventh row of the grid. Feeder Series spoke to Prema’s podium finishers about the team’s return to form and their hopes for the rest of the season.

By Daniele Spadi

Historically, qualifying around Monaco is one of the most important sessions of the entire season, as it is very difficult to overtake. Starting at the front therefore means that drivers have a big chance of finishing on the podium. That’s the main reason why both Beganovic and Aron were extremely satisfied after their efforts on Friday, as they both qualified in the top three.

“It meant a lot for me but also for the team, because it [was] our best quali so far this year and definitely a huge step forward after Australia – which was a disappointing round from our side,” said the Swedish driver.

Both drivers were on the pace on Sunday, with Beganovic putting the pressure on Gabriele Minì for the whole race and Aron getting the best of Luke Browning to get on the podium alongside his teammate.

“We made big steps throughout the year so far, and we can hopefully continue making them and push ourselves forward,” said the Estonian.

Back in business

The thirty drivers returned to racing after a seven-week break, which was even more difficult to do on a track like Monaco where confidence means more than anything else. However, both drivers admitted that the break was actually quite useful for them.

“The tests came at the right time for me and the team, I needed it to get more laps in the car so it was really important,” Beganovic told Feeder Series.

“[Monaco] is a particular track, a very historical track, but it comes with a lot of risks. It makes the progression even more important, you spend a lot more time in the simulator just to make sure to be prepared [for the weekend].”

Jumping back in the car with very limited track time is always going to be difficult

Paul Aron

His Estonian teammate also had other important business to attend to during the break. “Obviously a long break in driving is always difficult – jumping back in the car with very limited track time is always going to be difficult.

“But for me it actually worked out pretty well; I had school exams during this period and I was able to complete all my exams which was nice, so I was able to come here with a clear head and fully focused on racing.”

Though the pause was well-timed for Aron, he still admitted that jumping back in the car on a track like Monaco wasn’t easy whatsoever.

“Coming off of almost a one-and-a-half-month break and coming to Monaco – which was wet straight away – was really something special. Obviously it wasn’t easy, but it’s part of the game and of being a racing driver.”

What’s next for Prema?

After an intense weekend in the Principality, Formula 3 will head to Barcelona for its fourth round of the championship – a track vastly different to the tight Monaco circuit. Despite this, both Beganovic and Aron are confident that the pace shown in Monaco can be replicated in Barcelona.

“Obviously Monaco is one of a kind. […] We are going to the complete opposite of the hard compound in Barcelona, a very classic track let’s say,” said the Estonian.

“For sure it will be different, we can expect quite high degradation as it is Barcelona, but you know, I think it’s just about hard work and keeping up the momentum, I think we’re going to be able to do a good job and still fight for the front positions.”

Header photo credit: Prema Racing