Beganovic Impresses in Bahrain as Ferrari Exams First SF-25 Upgrades
Ferrari’s 2025 System 1 marketing campaign has began on unsure footing, however the Bahrain Grand Prix marked a pivotal second because the crew launched its first main improve package deal of the season. Whereas outcomes to this point have been blended, the weekend in Sakhir introduced the Scuderia their most encouraging efficiency to this point, each when it comes to factors and technical development.
The Maranello-based squad arrived in Bahrain with 4 new elements geared toward addressing a few of the limitations of the SF-25. Although each Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc had expressed dissatisfaction with the automotive’s steadiness and general drivability earlier within the season, the newest developments paid off. Ferrari walked away with a strong 22 factors from the weekend, trimming their deficit to Crimson Bull within the constructors’ standings.
Friday’s FP1 session final weekend supplied the Briton his first probability to guage the up to date package deal, however his teammate Charles Leclerc briefly stepped apart to make room for Ferrari Academy expertise Dino Beganovic. The 21-year-old Swedish-Bosnian driver, at the moment racing in System 2, made his long-awaited debut behind the wheel of a System 1 automotive throughout an official Grand Prix weekend.
Though Dino Beganovic had beforehand been thought of for a reserve driver function in 2025, Ferrari in the end opted for extra skilled names—Antonio Giovinazzi and Zhou Guanyu. Nonetheless, the Bahrain outing supplied him a platform to show his potential. And by a number of accounts, he didn’t waste the chance.
How Dino Beganovic Caught the Eye in Bahrain FP1
Throughout The Race F1 Podcast, motorsport journalist Edd Straw reviewed the performances of the six rookies who took half within the opening observe session in Bahrain. He revealed that regardless of powerful observe situations and restricted operating time, Beganovic stood out as probably the most composed and adaptable among the many newcomers. The session, described as one of many lowest-grip dry FP1s in current reminiscence, offered a big problem for all concerned.
Straw, who noticed from trackside on the technical Flip 9-10 part, famous that whereas different rookies—together with extra skilled names like Felipe Drugovich—delivered predictable performances, Beganovic supplied one thing extra dynamic. Lewis Hamilton, he defined, was caught out a number of instances throughout the session as a result of difficult grip ranges, whereas Dino Beganovic maintained higher management of his automotive and shortly tailored to the evolving situations.
Straw mentioned the Ferrari junior confirmed clear indicators of studying and experimenting, adjusting his strains and strategy whereas nonetheless adhering to the crew’s technical programme. It was an indication not simply of uncooked tempo, however of race intelligence and maturity—one thing groups worth extremely when evaluating younger drivers for future alternatives.
Different FP1 individuals included Luke Browning (Williams), Ryo Hirakawa (Haas), Ayumu Iwasa (Crimson Bull), Frederik Vesti (Mercedes), and Felipe Drugovich (Aston Martin). Straw highlighted Browning as one other standout, suggesting his driving appeared cleaner than common driver Alex Albon’s, although the session format restricted his potential to showcase his full potential.
Can Beganovic Break Into F1 by 2026?
The podcast additionally turned to the query of which rookie is finest positioned to safe a full-time System 1 seat within the close to future. Straw steered that whereas not one of the six drivers at the moment have an apparent path onto the 2026 grid, Beganovic may need the strongest outdoors probability—although seemingly not with Ferrari instantly.
Given the long-term contracts and type of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, there’s little indication {that a} seat will grow to be obtainable at Ferrari any time quickly. Moreover, Oliver Bearman, one other extremely rated Ferrari junior, is extensively seen because the front-runner for any future emptiness inside the crew.
Nevertheless, there could also be various routes for Dino Beganovic. With Cadillac set to enter F1 and planning to make use of Ferrari energy items from 2026, there exists a possible partnership pathway. A crew like Cadillac, probably in search of rookie expertise with Ferrari affiliations, may provide Beganovic a spot on the grid—offered he delivers an impressive marketing campaign in System 2 this yr.
The problem is formidable. Ferrari’s academy is among the best driver programmes in motorsport, and breaking by way of requires extra than simply uncooked velocity. Dino Beganovic might want to proceed proving himself underneath stress and show that he can ship constantly throughout a demanding F2 season.
Nonetheless, his efficiency in Bahrain served as a reminder of his potential. If he can construct on that momentum, the dialog a few 2026 F1 seat might quickly start to shift in his favour.
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