Ferrari announce shock driver change for F1 Austrian Grand Prix race weekend.
Ferrari have announced a driver change ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix.
After a short break following the Canadian Grand Prix, Formula 1 will return this weekend around the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria.
Heading into the latest race weekend, McLaren star Oscar Piastri leads the world championship with 198 points, 22 ahead of teammate Lando Norris.
Meanwhile, reigning world champion Max Verstappen trails Piastri by 43 points.
Ahead of the weekend, Ferrari have announced that Charles Leclerc will be replaced for the first practice session.
Instead, academy product Dino Beganovic will be driving the SF-25 during FP1.
It is mandatory that F1 teams allow their rookies to take part in four FP1 sessions during the course of a season.
After this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, Ferrari will have completed half of their required rookie driver sessions for the season. The remaining two will take place in Lewis Hamilton’s car later on.
Ferrari shared the news on social media, saying:
“A big moment in red — Dino Beganovic will once again step into Charles Leclerc’s car for FP1 in Spielberg.”
This isn’t Dino’s first F1 outing — the 21-year-old Swede also drove Leclerc’s car during the first practice session in Bahrain earlier this year. He currently sits 10th in the Formula 2 standings.
Ferrari isn’t the only team giving young talent a chance this weekend. McLaren has also announced that 19-year-old Alex Dunne will drive in place of Lando Norris for the FP1 session.
This marks a historic moment, as Dunne will become the first Irish driver in 22 years to take part in an F1 Grand Prix weekend.
Reacting to the news, Dunne said:
“It’s an amazing opportunity to drive in FP1 in Austria. I’m excited to get behind the wheel of the MCL39 and help the team with preparations for the weekend. I’ve been training hard with simulator sessions and testing older cars, and it’s been a great learning experience so far.”
