Beganovic Impresses in Bahrain as Ferrari Assessments 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 bundle of the season. Whereas outcomes up to now have been combined, the weekend in Sakhir introduced the Scuderia their most encouraging efficiency thus far, each when it comes to factors and technical development.
The Maranello-based squad arrived in Bahrain with 4 new elements geared toward addressing a number of the limitations of the SF-25. Although each Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc had expressed dissatisfaction with the automobile’s stability and general drivability earlier within the season, the newest developments paid off. Ferrari walked away with a stable 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 bundle, however his teammate Charles Leclerc quickly stepped apart to make room for Ferrari Academy expertise Dino Beganovic. The 21-year-old Swedish-Bosnian driver, at present racing in System 2, made his long-awaited debut behind the wheel of a System 1 automobile throughout an official Grand Prix weekend.
Though Dino Beganovic had beforehand been thought of for a reserve driver position in 2025, Ferrari finally opted for extra skilled names—Antonio Giovinazzi and Zhou Guanyu. Nonetheless, the Bahrain outing supplied him a platform to display 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 follow session in Bahrain. He revealed that regardless of robust observe situations and restricted working 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 latest reminiscence, introduced a major 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 occasions in the course of the session because of the difficult grip ranges, whereas Dino Beganovic maintained higher management of his automobile and rapidly tailored to the evolving situations.
Straw stated the Ferrari junior confirmed clear indicators of studying and experimenting, adjusting his traces and method whereas nonetheless adhering to the crew’s technical programme. It was an illustration 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 contributors 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 instructed that whereas not one of the six drivers at present 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 may be little indication {that a} seat will turn into accessible 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 throughout the crew.
Nonetheless, there could also be different 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, doubtlessly on the lookout for rookie expertise with Ferrari affiliations, might supply Beganovic a spot on the grid—supplied he delivers an impressive marketing campaign in System 2 this 12 months.
The problem is formidable. Ferrari’s academy is without doubt one of the best driver programmes in motorsport, and breaking by means of requires extra than simply uncooked velocity. Dino Beganovic might want to proceed proving himself beneath stress and display 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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