Dino Beganovic will return to the track to test some important updates on Leclerc’s Ferrari SF-25 at this weekend’s Austrian GP.
As was the case in Bahrain in mid-April, Ferrari will field Dino Beganovic in Charles Leclerc’s car for FP1 at the Austrian GP to test key upgrades. This is a crucial move for the Italian team, which is facing a highly complex technical challenge. Since the beginning of the year, the SF-25 has suffered from rear-end instability, with Loic Serra and the chassis department developing a new solution expected between Austria and Silverstone.
After a one-week break, Formula 1 returns to the track for Red Bull’s home Grand Prix. Following the Canadian round, where the car showed signs of slight improvement, the Austrian GP could expose the SF-25’s weaknesses again. If the updated suspension does not arrive in time, the car will be forced to run a compromise setup—stiffer and higher than usual to avoid wearing out the plank during the full race distance. This is a significant handicap for a car that already lacks front-end grip on a circuit with several low- and medium-speed corners.
Ferrari, Dino Beganovic and the need to test updates
As in Bahrain, Ferrari will bring a new floor to the Styria round. The new specification, which was previewed weeks ago on our site, will be paired with the new suspension. Speaking of the new floor, the aerodynamic team led by Diego Tondi pushed hard to widen the car’s operating window. This should allow the SF-25 to lose less downforce even when running at a greater-than-optimal ride height.
The increased downforce should also come with a different distribution of pressure drop across the car’s length. The intense work done in the Venturi channels is expected to significantly shift the peak downforce, impacting both the mechanical and aerodynamic balance of the car. However, as already mentioned in our earlier preview, introducing this new specification without the updated rear end could make it harder to unlock its full potential.
The use of Dino Beganovic, who is racing in Formula 2 during the Austrian weekend, will be vital for Ferrari. The Swedish FDA driver is actively involved in simulator work during race weekends when he is not competing in F2. With hours spent in Maranello testing the updates, the young driver plays a key role in verifying whether simulator data aligns with on-track results and driving feel.
The driving sensations that the Swede hopes to replicate on track come after several weeks of testing the new rear suspension. In fact, rumours are intensifying that the updated rear end could be introduced as a complete package in Austria. Our editorial team was among the first to suggest this double upgrade, after sources informed us of intense behind-the-scenes work on the rear end.
The moment of truth will come on Saturday during qualifying, and on Sunday when evaluating race pace. This double test could radically change Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 season, potentially marking a turnaround beginning at the Red Bull Ring with Charles Leclerc debuting the first suspension spec to assess its true performance. If introduced in Austria, the update could then be completed at Silverstone with Lewis Hamilton’s car for his home Grand Prix in red.
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