In an exciting turn of events, the Bahrain Grand Prix will witness a fresh face in the Ferrari camp as Charles Leclerc sits out the opening practice session. The spotlight shifts to the young prodigy Dino Beganovic, who is set to make his Formula 1 debut with the SF-25.
The upcoming change comes as part of the new regulations for the 2025 Formula 1 season, which mandate that each team must facilitate additional opportunities for rookie drivers. This allows a rookie, defined as someone with fewer than three Grand Prix starts, to participate in more practice sessions. For Ferrari, the timing couldn’t be better, as their Driver Academy star, Beganovic, gears up to leave a mark.
Beganovic, only 21 and hailing from Sweden, joined the Ferrari Driver Academy back in 2020. Since then, he has showcased immense potential, notably securing the Formula Regional European Championship title in 2022. His journey through Formula 3 saw him claim two race victories, making him a formidable contender in the racing world.
His swift rise continued late last year as he transitioned to Formula 2, where he immediately impressed with a podium finish in Abu Dhabi and consistently ranked in the top 10 during his initial races. This season, Beganovic continues to race in Formula 2 with Hitech, complementing his major opportunity with Ferrari in Bahrain.
The practice session pairs Beganovic with none other than the legendary Lewis Hamilton as his teammate. This collaboration offers the young driver invaluable experience alongside one of the sport’s most successful figures.
Ferrari’s decision to allow Leclerc to step aside and provide a platform for their junior driver reflects their forward-thinking strategy. Meanwhile, it provides Leclerc with a chance to observe and strategize from the sidelines, potentially gaining new insights for the races ahead.
As Beganovic readies himself for a pivotal moment in his career, the Bahrain GP promises to be a memorable chapter for both him and Ferrari. This event signifies not just an opportunity for the young driver to test his skills at the highest level, but also a testament to Ferrari’s commitment to nurturing fresh talent.
