Ferrari’s Lack of Trust in Lewis Hamilton Revealed After Shocking Driver Swap at Austrian Grand Prix
In a bold move that has left the Formula 1 world buzzing, Ferrari has once again raised eyebrows by benching Charles Leclerc for FP1 at the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix. The Italian team has opted to replace the Monegasque driver with newcomer Dino Beganovic, hinting at a possible lack of trust in seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s performance capabilities.
This decision marks the second time this season that Leclerc will miss a practice session, with Beganovic having made his F1 debut earlier this year at the Bahrain GP. The surprising switch comes as teams navigate new regulations requiring rookie drivers to participate in at least two sessions in 2025, a change from the previous season.
Despite the conventional expectation for teams to rotate drivers for such requirements, Ferrari has chosen to sideline Leclerc on multiple occasions, raising questions about their confidence in both their drivers. Hamilton, who has faced challenges adapting to the SF-25 car and his new team, has struggled in qualifying and failed to secure a podium finish this season, trailing Leclerc by 25 points in the championship standings.
The decision to prioritize Hamilton’s track time could stem from concerns about his current form and ability to deliver strong performances without extensive practice sessions. In contrast, Leclerc’s longstanding tenure with Ferrari since 2019 may have contributed to the team’s decision to give him more leeway in missing practice sessions.
As the F1 season unfolds, all eyes will be on Hamilton to see if he can overcome his early setbacks and regain his competitive edge. With tensions already simmering over the lack of car upgrades and Hamilton’s public frustrations, Ferrari’s strategic driver swaps add another layer of intrigue to an already intense championship battle.
The upcoming races will test both Hamilton’s resilience and Leclerc’s consistency, as Ferrari aims to strike a balance between nurturing young talent and maximizing the potential of their seasoned drivers. Amidst swirling speculations and high stakes, the Austrian Grand Prix promises to be a pivotal moment in the evolving dynamics of the F1 grid.
