Dino Beganovic! Welcome to F1®

 

The picturesque Styrian mountains are buzzing with more than just the roar of F1® engines this weekend, and all eyes are now on the Red Bull Ring for the Austrian Grand Prix. And for Formula 1® fans, especially those with a keen eye on the stars of tomorrow, Friday's Free Practice 1 session holds an inspiring moment: the introduction of Dino Beganovic to the world of F1® Grand Prix sessions.

This young man is strapping into Charles Leclerc's Ferrari SF-25 for his second official F1® practice outing – a massive moment for any aspiring talent and a key step in his journey through the Ferrari Driver Academy. So, who exactly is Dino Beganovic, this fresh face stepping into the hallowed cockpit of a Scuderia Ferrari?

Meet the Swedish-Bosnian Rising Star

Born on January 19, 2004, in Landeryd, Sweden, Dino Beganovic is a Swedish and Bosnian racing driver who has steadily climbed motorsport's fiercely competitive ladder. He's currently competing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship for Hitech TGR, a clear indicator of his progression through the ranks.

From a very young age, Dino demonstrated exceptional talent in karting, securing multiple Swedish karting titles and finishing runner-up in the 2019 WSK Euro Series. The talent was undeniable, and it wasn't long before Ferrari came calling.

A Rapid Rise Through the Ferrari Driver Academy

Dino Beganovic joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2020. His single-seater debut in 2020 saw him quickly get to grips with the competitive Italian F4® Championship, finishing P3 in the standings and even clinching his first pole position and a race win at the demanding Imola track.

The following year, he moved up to the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA). He earned two wins and a pole position in his first season before truly dominating in his second year, securing the 2022 FRECA title with a hugely impressive 13 podiums and four race victories, and he has been praised as the next generational talent.

Dino then spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons racing with PREMA Racing in FIA Formula 3®, where he consistently performed, finishing sixth in both campaigns and achieving eight podiums in total, including two victories. He even competed in the final two rounds of the 2024 FIA Formula 2® season, earning a notable podium at the Yas Marina Sprint Race. He's back for a whole F2® campaign in 2025 with Hitech TGR.

Austria: The Next Step in His Ferrari Journey

This weekend's FP1 outing at the Red Bull Ring is Beganovic's second official F1® session, having already made his debut in Bahrain earlier this year (also stepping into Leclerc's car). It's part of Ferrari's compliance with the FIA's mandate, which requires teams to run rookie drivers in at least two practice sessions per car in 2025.

For Dino, this is more than just ticking a box. It's an invaluable opportunity to continue learning the SF-25, gather critical data for the team, and showcase his composure, communication skills, and adaptability on a challenging F1® circuit he knows well from his junior formula days. He'll be running alongside Lewis Hamilton, getting a direct comparison to a seven-time World Champion.

The journey to Formula 1® is long and arduous, but for Dino Beganovic, every F1® driving session is a crucial step towards his ultimate dream. The F1® world and Senate GP will be watching closely as this young talent takes centre stage.

And as always, when the lights go out and the drama unfolds, here at Senate Grand Prix, there is only one winner, and that's you, the race fans!