A Rookie Next to Lewis Hamilton: The Fairytale of Dino Beganovic
Criticism directed at modern Formula 1—often labeled as overly glamorous, excessively regulated, and lacking in truly engaging spectacle—should be momentarily set aside when the discussion turns to young talent. In recent seasons, the top tier of motorsport has offered unprecedented opportunities to young drivers, many of whom have quickly found their way into top teams, fulfilling lifelong dreams.
For these young hopefuls, it often begins with Free Practice 1 sessions, which teams are obliged to dedicate to rookie drivers as part of regulatory requirements. These sessions mark the opening chapters of what could become full-fledged Formula 1 careers, and they often represent the culmination of years of personal and financial sacrifice.
One such moment occurred recently in Austria, where Dino Beganovic experienced what could prove to be a pivotal moment in his racing journey. The young Swedish-Bosnian driver, part of the Ferrari Driver Academy, took part in the FP1 session alongside seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, temporarily replacing Charles Leclerc. It was the second time Dino Beganovic had the chance to drive a Formula 1 car during an official Grand Prix weekend.
At just 21 years of age, Dino Beganovic described the experience as a “dress rehearsal” for what he ultimately hopes will be a full-time seat in Formula 1. Currently positioned tenth in the FIA Formula 2 Championship standings, Beganovic had already caught attention during the Bahrain FP1 earlier in the season. Now, with another solid performance in Austria, he continues to prove his adaptability, racecraft, and composure under pressure.
Being able to work closely with elite drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc offered Dino Beganovic a valuable insight into the mindset, discipline, and technical approach required at the highest level of the sport.
But beyond the technical aspects, there is also the emotional impact of the occasion — that of a young driver sharing the Ferrari garage with Lewis Hamilton, one of the most successful drivers in the history of Formula 1.
“If someone had told me last year that I’d be sharing a garage with Lewis and stepping in for Charles, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Dino Beganovic said. “But it’s a dream come true.”
Lewis Hamilton, who claimed his seventh and most recent World Championship title in 2020, has long encouraged the younger generation to “dream the impossible” and to chase their goals with relentless determination. Dino Beganovic appears to have taken that message to heart.
“Of course, I’m not yet where I want to be, which is in Formula 1,” he admitted. “But having opportunities like this to test myself only makes me more motivated. It pushes me to work even harder to reach that goal.”
Throughout the current season, Beganovic has had the opportunity to closely observe how both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton interact with the Ferrari team. He noted subtle but meaningful differences in their working styles and emphasized how inspired he is by Hamilton’s intensity and desire for success — even at 40 years old and with seven world titles already on his résumé.
“There’s a lot to learn from how Charles works with the team and from how Lewis works with the team,” he explained. “But I’m just incredibly impressed by how hungry he [Hamilton] still is at his age. He’s pushing so hard to bring Ferrari back to the top — and to win that eighth title.”
Dino Beganovic’s words reflect ambition, humility, and deep respect — for the sport, for its champions, and for the opportunity he’s been given. His admiration for Lewis Hamilton is clear, not just because of Hamilton’s achievements, but because he represents the kind of driver Dino aspires to become.
One day, perhaps, Dino Beganovic will go from rookie to race winner, and from understudy to headline act. For now, his story is still being written — but it already reads like the beginning of something special.
Leave a Reply