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 staff launched its first main improve bundle of the season. Whereas outcomes to this point have been blended, the weekend in Sakhir introduced the Scuderia their most encouraging efficiency so far, each when it comes to factors and technical development.
The Maranello-based squad arrived in Bahrain with 4 new parts geared toward addressing a number of the limitations of the SF-25. Although each Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc had expressed dissatisfaction with the automotive’s stability and total 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 Pink Bull within the constructors’ standings.
Friday’s FP1 session final weekend provided the Briton his first likelihood to judge the up to date bundle, 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 position in 2025, Ferrari finally opted for extra skilled names—Antonio Giovinazzi and Zhou Guanyu. Nonetheless, the Bahrain outing provided 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 working time, Beganovic stood out as essentially the most composed and adaptable among the many newcomers. The session, described as one of many lowest-grip dry FP1s in latest reminiscence, offered 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 provided one thing extra dynamic. Lewis Hamilton, he defined, was caught out a number of instances through the session as a result of tough grip ranges, whereas Dino Beganovic maintained higher management of his automotive and rapidly tailored to the evolving situations.
Straw mentioned the Ferrari junior confirmed clear indicators of studying and experimenting, adjusting his traces and strategy whereas nonetheless adhering to the staff’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 individuals included Luke Browning (Williams), Ryo Hirakawa (Haas), Ayumu Iwasa (Pink 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 advised that whereas not one of the six drivers at the moment have an apparent path onto the 2026 grid, Beganovic may need the strongest exterior likelihood—although doubtless not with Ferrari immediately.
Given the long-term contracts and type of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, there’s little indication {that a} seat will develop into accessible at Ferrari any time quickly. Moreover, Oliver Bearman, one other extremely rated Ferrari junior, is broadly seen because the front-runner for any future emptiness throughout the staff.
Nonetheless, there could also be various routes for Dino Beganovic. With Cadillac set to enter F1 and planning to make use of Ferrari energy models from 2026, there exists a possible partnership pathway. A staff like Cadillac, doubtlessly on the lookout for rookie expertise with Ferrari affiliations, might supply Beganovic a spot on the grid—supplied he delivers an excellent marketing campaign in System 2 this 12 months.
The problem is formidable. Ferrari’s academy is likely one of the best driver programmes in motorsport, and breaking by means of requires extra than simply uncooked pace. Dino Beganovic might want to proceed proving himself underneath stress and show that he can ship persistently 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 couple of 2026 F1 seat could quickly start to shift in his favour.
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