Ferrari poised to line up Beganovic for Mexico FP1 as Hamilton or Leclerc must make way
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Ben Hunt is an award-winning motorsport journalist with over two decades of experience in Formula 1 and international media. As a former editor-in-chief and bestselling author, he delivers in-depth analysis and strategic insight from the highest level of the sport.
Dino Beganovic is lined up to drive for Ferrari in the opening practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix, which means either Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc would have to sit out the first hour on Friday. The Swede is expected to take part in the planned rookie line-up, but the team has not yet said whose SF-26 he will take over.
Ferrari is one of eight teams planning FP1 changes in Mexico. Elsewhere on the grid, GPblog has already reported the decisions at Red Bull, Mercedes, Williams, McLaren and Alpine, including how Max Verstappen set to skip Mexico City Grand Prix session, and how George Russell has to give up seat for opening session of the Mexico City GP.
Beganovic split his 2026 outings between Hamilton and Leclerc
Under the 2026 regulations, every team must hand four FP1 sessions to eligible rookies, two from each race car. Beganovic made his first 2026 appearance in the SF-26 at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix in June, replacing Hamilton. Two weeks later he was back in Austria, this time in Leclerc's car. That leaves each Ferrari driver with one session still to give up before the end of the season.
Losing the hour in Barcelona did not hurt Hamilton. He went on to win the race, his first victory for Ferrari. Beganovic finished that session eighth, about 0.9 seconds behind third-placed Leclerc. He also gave the team useful data that day by running the older specification of the SF-26 while Leclerc tested the updated aerodynamic package.
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There is a familiar pattern here. At last year's Mexico City Grand Prix, Ferrari first held back the name of the driver Antonio Fuoco would replace in FP1. It was later confirmed that Hamilton would hand over his SF-25.
Ferrari promoted Beganovic to a 2027 reserve role
If Beganovic drives in Mexico, it will be his first session since Ferrari confirmed on 16 October that he will become a reserve and development driver in 2027, sharing the job with Antonio Giovinazzi as GPblog exclusively revealed. The 22-year-old is fifth in the Formula 2 standings this season after back-to-back wins in Madring and Baku. Fellow academy driver Rafael Câmara has signed with Haas for 2027.
"I will do my best to support the team and make sure I am ready to compete if that situation arises," Beganovic said in a press release when his new role was announced.
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Hamilton's title maths makes every lap count
The decision matters most for Hamilton. He arrives in Mexico third in the championship on 241 points, one behind George Russell and 124 behind leader Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli will clinch the title on Sunday 1 November if he finishes ninth or higher. If Hamilton wins the race, tenth place would be enough for the Mercedes driver.
Whichever Ferrari driver sits out will be back in the car from FP2. Ferrari also trail Mercedes by 133 points in the Constructors' standings, so the Scuderia will want as much useful running as possible across the weekend.
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