Charles Leclerc replaced at Bahrain Grand Prix as Ferrari hand out F1….read more
Charles Leclerc will be replaced by Dino Beganovic for the first free practice session at the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix next month. This change follows the FIA’s regulation requiring each Formula 1 driver to give up their seat for a young driver with fewer than two F1 race starts twice during the season. Beganovic, a promising talent from the Ferrari Driver Academy, fits this requirement as he has never raced in F1 before.
Beganovic, 21, recently moved up to Formula 2, where he competes for the Hitech Grand Prix team. Despite being relatively new to the higher levels of motorsport, Ferrari is giving him the chance to make his debut in an official F1 session during the Bahrain Grand Prix. He will drive Leclerc’s SF-25 car during the first free practice session at the Bahrain International Circuit. This marks a significant milestone in his career and provides him with a unique opportunity to showcase his skills at the pinnacle of motorsport.
A statement from Ferrari confirmed the exciting news, highlighting that Beganovic will not only compete in the second round of the Formula 2 championship but also make his F1 debut in the practice session. With this opportunity, Beganovic becomes the fifth driver from Ferrari’s Driver Academy to participate in an official F1 session, joining a group that includes Leclerc, Arthur Leclerc, Robert Schwartzman, and Oliver Bearman. This marks another significant step in Ferrari’s long-term investment in developing young talent through their academy system.
Beganovic joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2020, and his journey through various junior categories has been impressive. He has competed in Italian F4, Formula Regional, and F3, steadily progressing through the ranks with Ferrari’s backing. His performance in Bahrain could serve as a key moment in his career, potentially paving the way for more prominent opportunities within the Ferrari team or in other top teams in the future. His career trajectory could follow a path similar to Bearman, who joined the academy several years ago and now races full-time for Haas, with a future potential seat at Ferrari.
After the first free practice session, Leclerc will return to the car for the subsequent practice sessions, qualifying, and the race itself. Ferrari has not yet announced when Leclerc’s teammate, Lewis Hamilton, will be required to give up his seat to a young driver. It remains to be seen whether Beganovic will again be the beneficiary of this opportunity in the future, should Hamilton participate in a session swap.
As for Ferrari’s performance this season, the team has shown flashes of competitiveness, but inconsistency has hampered their progress. After two race weekends, Ferrari is already trailing McLaren by 61 points in the Constructors’ Championship. Their season so far has been marked by mixed results, including a setback in China. Hamilton won the sprint race there but was disqualified afterward for excessive plank wear on his car. Leclerc also faced a disqualification due to his car being underweight by 1kg, further damaging Ferrari’s points tally. Despite these challenges, Ferrari remains hopeful that with more consistent performances, they can improve their standing in the championship and potentially challenge for the front of the grid as the season progresses.
Beganovic’s debut in Bahrain will not only be an exciting moment for him but could also be an important chapter in Ferrari’s ongoing efforts to develop future
F1 talent.
