Ferrari announce driver change for Bahrain race weekend as youngster handed chance to impress

Ferrari has officially announced that 21-year-old Formula 2 sensation Dino Beganovic will step in for Charles Leclerc during the first practice session at the Bahrain Grand Prix. This move highlights Ferrari’s commitment to nurturing young talent from within their ranks, as Beganovic—one of the most promising prospects in their Driver Academy—gets his first official taste of Formula 1 action.

A Challenging Start to the Season for Ferrari

The start of the 2025 Formula 1 season has been anything but smooth for Ferrari. The Scuderia endured a disappointing opening round in Australia, followed by a nightmare weekend in China that saw both of their drivers disqualified. What was supposed to be a strong title challenge has already taken a significant hit, with Ferrari trailing by 61 points in the constructors’ standings after just two races.
Coming into the season, Ferrari was widely regarded as a joint favorite alongside McLaren for the championship, but early setbacks have left them with a mountain to climb. Despite their struggles, the team is making use of the opportunity to integrate young talent into their setup, demonstrating their long-term vision beyond immediate performance concerns.

Beganovic’s Big Break: A Key Step for Ferrari’s Young Talent

As part of Formula 1’s regulations, every team is required to field a rookie driver—someone who has not competed in more than two F1 races—for at least one FP1 session during the season. This time, Ferrari has opted to give the opportunity to Beganovic, with Leclerc stepping aside for the session. This decision means that Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari’s high-profile signing for 2025, will not be the one to vacate his seat in Bahrain, allowing him to continue familiarizing himself with the SF-25.
In an official statement released on their website, Ferrari confirmed their decision to hand the Swedish driver this valuable experience. The statement read:

“Dino Beganovic is going to have a busy weekend in Bahrain: the 21-year-old Swedish Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy student will be racing in the second round of the Formula 2 championship with the Hitech Grand Prix team and he will also make his debut driving in an official Formula 1 session, when he gets behind the wheel of Charles Leclerc’s SF-25 for the first free practice session.”

Following in Prestigious Footsteps

Beganovic’s FP1 appearance will place him among an elite group of Ferrari Academy drivers who have had the opportunity to test the team’s machinery in an official session. He becomes the fifth driver from the Maranello-based program to do so, following in the footsteps of Charles Leclerc, his younger brother Arthur Leclerc, Robert Shwartzman, and Oliver Bearman.
Beganovic’s rise through the junior ranks has been impressive. The Swede made his Formula 2 debut during the final two rounds of the 2024 season after finishing sixth in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. Before that, he had already built an impressive résumé, clinching multiple Swedish karting titles before making his way into single-seater racing in 2020. His steady progression and strong performances earned him a place in the Ferrari Driver Academy, positioning him as a future contender for a Formula 1 seat.

A Crucial Moment for Both Beganovic and Ferrari

For Beganovic, this FP1 outing is a major milestone in his career, providing him with an invaluable opportunity to showcase his abilities at the highest level of motorsport. It will not only allow him to gain firsthand experience in an F1 car but also serve as a chance to impress Ferrari’s top brass, who will be closely monitoring his performance.
Meanwhile, for Ferrari, this session represents a calculated move to assess their young talent amid an already challenging start to the season. With Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc leading their charge in 2025, the team is also keeping an eye on the future, ensuring that their driver development program remains strong.
As Beganovic prepares for a hectic weekend in Bahrain, balancing his commitments in Formula 2 while making his Formula 1 debut, all eyes will be on the young Swede to see if he can make the most of this golden opportunity.