How Ferrari rookie Dino Beganovic impressed on debut and Lewis Hamilton comparison. Dino Beganovic impressed Ferrari during Bahrain FP1.

Beganovic Impresses in Bahrain as Ferrari Tests First SF-25 Upgrades

Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 campaign has started on uncertain footing, but the Bahrain Grand Prix marked a pivotal moment as the team introduced its first major upgrade package of the season. While results so far have been mixed, the weekend in Sakhir brought the Scuderia their most encouraging performance to date, both in terms of points and technical progression.

The Maranello-based squad arrived in Bahrain with four new components aimed at addressing some of the limitations of the SF-25. Though both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc had expressed dissatisfaction with the car’s balance and overall drivability earlier in the season, the latest developments paid off. Ferrari walked away with a solid 22 points from the weekend, trimming their deficit to Red Bull in the constructors’ standings.

Friday’s FP1 session last weekend offered the Briton his first chance to evaluate the updated package, but his teammate Charles Leclerc temporarily stepped aside to make room for Ferrari Academy talent Dino Beganovic. The 21-year-old Swedish-Bosnian driver, currently racing in Formula 2, made his long-awaited debut behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car during an official Grand Prix weekend.

Although Dino Beganovic had previously been considered for a reserve driver role in 2025, Ferrari ultimately opted for more experienced names—Antonio Giovinazzi and Zhou Guanyu. Still, the Bahrain outing offered him a platform to demonstrate his potential. And by several accounts, he didn’t waste the opportunity.

How Dino Beganovic Caught the Eye in Bahrain FP1

During The Race F1 Podcast, motorsport journalist Edd Straw reviewed the performances of the six rookies who took part in the opening practice session in Bahrain. He revealed that despite tough track conditions and limited running time, Beganovic stood out as the most composed and adaptable among the newcomers. The session, described as one of the lowest-grip dry FP1s in recent memory, presented a significant challenge for all involved.

Straw, who observed from trackside at the technical Turn 9-10 section, noted that while other rookies—including more experienced names like Felipe Drugovich—delivered predictable performances, Beganovic offered something more dynamic. Lewis Hamilton, he explained, was caught out several times during the session due to the tricky grip levels, while Dino Beganovic maintained better control of his car and quickly adapted to the evolving conditions.

Straw said the Ferrari junior showed clear signs of learning and experimenting, adjusting his lines and approach while still adhering to the team’s technical programme. It was a demonstration not just of raw pace, but of race intelligence and maturity—something teams value highly when evaluating young drivers for future opportunities.

Other FP1 participants included Luke Browning (Williams), Ryo Hirakawa (Haas), Ayumu Iwasa (Red Bull), Frederik Vesti (Mercedes), and Felipe Drugovich (Aston Martin). Straw highlighted Browning as another standout, suggesting his driving appeared cleaner than regular driver Alex Albon’s, though the session format limited his ability to showcase his full potential.

Can Beganovic Break Into F1 by 2026?

The podcast also turned to the question of which rookie is best positioned to secure a full-time Formula 1 seat in the near future. Straw suggested that while none of the six drivers currently have an obvious path onto the 2026 grid, Beganovic might have the strongest outside chance—though likely not with Ferrari directly.

Given the long-term contracts and form of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, there is little indication that a seat will become available at Ferrari any time soon. Additionally, Oliver Bearman, another highly rated Ferrari junior, is widely seen as the front-runner for any future vacancy within the team.

However, there may be alternative routes for Dino Beganovic. With Cadillac set to enter F1 and planning to use Ferrari power units from 2026, there exists a potential partnership pathway. A team like Cadillac, potentially looking for rookie talent with Ferrari affiliations, could offer Beganovic a place on the grid—provided he delivers an outstanding campaign in Formula 2 this year.

The challenge is formidable. Ferrari’s academy is one of the most competitive driver programmes in motorsport, and breaking through requires more than just raw speed. Dino Beganovic will need to continue proving himself under pressure and demonstrate that he can deliver consistently across a demanding F2 season.

Still, his performance in Bahrain served as a reminder of his potential. If he can build on that momentum, the conversation about a 2026 F1 seat may soon begin to shift in his favour.