Ferrari has kept a number of driver activities under wraps this week, including a secretive

Formula 1The other Ferrari F1 test debut being kept hidden for now

Ferrari has kept a number of driver activities under wraps this week, including a secretive test for Lewis Hamilton and a private outing for Dino Beganovic, who made his Formula 1 debut at the Barcelona test. Unlike the public presence of Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Ferrari’s other test driver, Antonio Giovinazzi, Beganovic’s test was not officially acknowledged by Ferrari, and there are no images of him from the session. While Ferrari has not denied his participation, it has chosen not to make a public statement about it.

Beganovic, a 21-year-old from Sweden, is set to compete in Formula 2 with Hitech in 2025 but is also considered a development driver for Ferrari. His test session took place following the conclusion of the program for Hamilton and Leclerc, after Hamilton’s crash cut their run short on Wednesday. It is not unusual for members of the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA), such as Beganovic, to get opportunities for private tests in older F1 cars, but typically, these outings are more widely covered, especially for drivers with established profiles like Leclerc, Hamilton, or Giovinazzi.

However, in Beganovic’s case, Ferrari has kept his test debut unusually low-profile. This secrecy could be part of the team’s strategy to protect young drivers from undue attention, pressure, and expectations, which have become more common in F1. Teams are increasingly cautious about the media coverage of their rising stars, preferring to maintain a level of privacy. Another possibility is that Ferrari may be taking a more careful approach with Beganovic, as his rise through the ranks has been somewhat unexpected.

Beganovic’s journey has not been without its challenges. His second season in Formula 3 in 2024 was a disappointment in terms of results, as he finished sixth in the championship, the same as in his rookie year. Despite this, Ferrari chose to overlook his less-than-ideal performance in F3, recognizing the progress he made in other areas. Most notably, Beganovic impressed during a brief stint with DAMS in Formula 2 toward the end of 2024, scoring a podium finish and consistently finishing in the top 10 despite his limited experience with the car. By the time of that performance, it was clear that his place in the FDA was secure.

With Ollie Bearman now stepping into a full-time F1 role with Haas, Beganovic has effectively become Ferrari’s top junior driver. As the most senior member of the FDA, he now has the opportunity to position himself for an F1 seat, particularly as Ferrari looks to build the next generation of drivers. Beganovic has already accumulated enough points for an F1 superlicence, and he has also met the required mileage in testing, making him a viable candidate for further F1 opportunities.

Ferrari’s approach with Beganovic could see him participate in Friday practice sessions or the post-season test in Abu Dhabi, both logical next steps in his development. Additionally, there is the possibility that he could act as a reserve driver for Ferrari, similar to Bearman’s role last season, where Bearman made multiple stand-in appearances for both Ferrari and Haas. Another plausible scenario is that Ferrari retains an option on Bearman while making Giovinazzi available to Haas, ensuring that Beganovic continues his development while staying out of the public spotlight.

Looking ahead, more private test sessions for Beganovic and potential involvement in an official grand prix weekend could move him closer to an F1 race seat. This would be a significant leap forward for a driver whose chances of a full-time F1 seat seemed remote just a few months ago. After a difficult 2024 season marked by bad luck, it now seems that the stars are aligning for Beganovic, offering him a challenging but plausible path to become Ferrari’s next protege to earn an F1 race seat. If he can continue his strong performances in F2, as suggested by his impressive late-season form in 2024, his F1 dream may be closer than ever before.