Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s golden boy and a cornerstone of their Formula 1 resurgence, will sit out a critical session at the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix. The Monegasque driver, renowned for his blistering qualifying pace, will hand over his SF-25 cockpit during Friday’s opening practice—a move that has fans buzzing with questions. While Leclerc’s absence is temporary, the decision underscores Ferrari’s long-term vision, prioritizing development over tradition.
But who’s stepping into his seat? And what does this mean for the Scuderia’s 2025 campaign? The answers reveal a bold gamble on the future.
The rookie revolution: Ferrari’s double-duty gamble
Charles Leclerc’s FP1 hiatus isn’t a demotion—it’s a strategic play. Ferrari has tapped 21-year-old Swedish phenom Dino Beganovic, a star of their Driver Academy, to take the wheel for the Bahrain practice session. This isn’t just a test drive; it’s a high-stakes audition.
Beganovic, who joined Ferrari’s junior program in 2020, arrives fresh off a breakout Formula 2 season where he clinched podiums and top-10 finishes with relentless consistency. Now, he’ll share the garage with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, albeit briefly, in a mentorship-meets-evaluation moment.
The swap aligns with F1’s revised rookie mandate: Each team must now allocate two practice sessions per driver to fledgling talents (up from one in 2024). For Ferrari, this means balancing Leclerc and Carlos Sainz’s title ambitions with nurturing the next generation—a tightrope walk in a hyper-competitive era.
Why Bahrain? Timing, temperament, and trajectory
Beganovic’s debut isn’t random. Bahrain’s circuit, with its mix of long straights and technical sectors, offers a litmus test for adaptability—a trait the Swede showcased in his seamless jump from Formula 3 to F2. His promotion also coincides with a career-defining move to Hitech for the 2025 F2 season, where he’ll juggle dual roles: proving his worth in junior series while absorbing F1’s pressures.
For Charles Leclerc, the FP1 breather is a calculated pause. With Ferrari’s 2025 car still evolving, his absence allows engineers to gather rookie feedback without compromising his race setup. It’s a trade-off: sacrifice one hour of track time to invest in future gains.
Ferrari’s high-risk, high-reward play
Ferrari’s bet on Beganovic isn’t just about compliance—it’s about legacy. The Scuderia, burned by past academy graduates like Antonio Giovinazzi failing to stick in F1, is desperate to mint a homegrown star. Beganovic’s rapid rise—from 2022 Formula Regional European champ to F2 podium contender—suggests he could be the answer.
Yet risks linger. Rookie sessions can disrupt team rhythm, especially with Hamilton still acclimating to Ferrari after his shock Mercedes exit. But insiders argue the upside—youthful energy, fresh data—outweighs the chaos.
What’s next for Charles Leclerc?
Charles Leclerc’s Bahrain FP1 exit is a blip, not a trend. The 26-year-old remains central to Ferrari’s title bid, with Suzuka’s Japanese Grand Prix looming as his next showdown. For now, all eyes are on Beganovic. Can the rookie handle the heat? Or will the moment overwhelm him? Either way, Ferrari’s message is clear: The future is now.