Ferrari confirm Lewis Hamilton replacement due to H…read more
Ferrari’s recent driver decision ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix has sparked speculation about the team’s confidence in the performance level of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton. The team has confirmed that Charles Leclerc will not participate in the first free practice session (FP1) at the upcoming race weekend in Austria, with Swedish junior driver Dino Beganovic stepping in to take his place. This move has raised eyebrows, particularly because it marks the second time this season that Leclerc will sit out of a practice session, potentially indicating Ferrari’s strategy is shifting in a direction that may not fully align with Hamilton’s presence in the team for the 2025 season.
The switch has been seen by some observers as a possible indication that Ferrari is still evaluating all its options and is not yet completely convinced about Hamilton’s form or integration into the team. Hamilton, who will join Ferrari from Mercedes next year, remains one of the most decorated drivers in the history of the sport, but questions have been raised about whether he can return to his peak competitive level in a new environment. The decision to give more track time to Beganovic, who is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, might reflect a longer-term focus on developing younger talent alongside its star signings.
Beganovic made his Formula 1 weekend debut earlier this season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, also in place of Leclerc. The young Swede has been gradually building his experience and profile within Ferrari’s junior system and in the Formula 2 championship. His selection once again for FP1 duties could be seen as an indication of Ferrari’s commitment to grooming a future generation of drivers who can be competitive at the highest level. It’s also a move that suggests the team is open to flexibility in its driver planning, possibly even beyond the 2025 season.
For Leclerc, sitting out of another session may not be significant in the short term, but it does reduce his on-track preparation time, which could impact his race weekend rhythm. However, it is also a common practice for top teams to rotate junior drivers into FP1 sessions to meet FIA’s rookie driver participation requirements.
Still, the timing of the announcement has stirred debate, especially as it comes during a period of heightened attention on Ferrari’s 2025 driver lineup. With Hamilton’s arrival looming, every move by the Italian team is now being closely scrutinized. Whether this is simply a standard practice run for a young driver or a deeper signal about Ferrari’s current thinking on its drivers’ future remains to be seen.
