Ferrari grooming Driver Academy member for a 2026 Cadillac F1 seat

Formula 1 is poised to expand its grid in 2026, with an 11th team set to make its debut following an agreement in principle with General Motors. The American automotive giant is on course to enter the sport under the Cadillac F1 banner, marking a major milestone for both the company and the series.

After months of uncertainty surrounding Andretti’s bid for entry, it now appears that Cadillac will be the team to bring fresh competition to the paddock. With General Motors’ vast resources and reputation, the move could have significant implications—not only for the competitive landscape but also for Formula 1’s continued growth in the United States.

Liberty Media has already taken major steps to expand F1’s footprint in North America, adding three U.S.-based races to the calendar in Austin, Miami, and Las Vegas. Along with the existing rounds in Montreal and Mexico City, the presence of a full-fledged American team would further solidify the sport’s standing in the region.

One of the most pressing decisions for newly appointed team principal Graeme Lowdon will be selecting the drivers to lead Cadillac F1 in its inaugural campaign.

Mario Andretti has been vocal in his support for Colton Herta, hoping the IndyCar star can meet Cadillac’s desire to have at least one American driver in the lineup. However, for Colton Herta to secure a spot on the 2026 Formula 1 grid, he will need to deliver a standout performance in the 2025 IndyCar season to accumulate the necessary FIA superlicence points.

Another high-profile name linked to Cadillac is Sergio Perez, with his management reportedly exploring options for him to secure a seat. However, an external factor could influence the team’s driver choices—their technical partnership with Ferrari.

Since General Motors’ in-house power unit will not be ready in time for 2026, Cadillac will initially run Ferrari engines, mirroring the relationship Haas has maintained with the Italian manufacturer. This connection has already played a crucial role in Oliver Bearman securing a full-time F1 seat, and the Maranello team may now be positioning another rising talent for a similar opportunity.

After participating in a recent test at Barcelona, Dino Beganovic appears to be emerging as a potential candidate for Cadillac’s 2026 lineup. The Swedish driver, who has progressed through Ferrari’s junior ranks, could follow in Bearman’s footsteps, making his Formula 1 debut through a Ferrari-affiliated team.

With Cadillac’s preparations accelerating, Dino Beganovic’s trajectory will be one to watch as Ferrari potentially lines up its next star for a seat on the 2026 grid.

Speaking on a recent episode of The Race F1 Podcast, journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm shared his thoughts on Dino Beganovic’s recent test and the potential implications for his future. He noted that Ferrari’s customer engine deal for the coming years had made him consider a possibility that had been on his mind for a while.

According to Mitchell-Malm, Beganovic had unexpectedly emerged on Ferrari’s radar from an F1 perspective. While the Swedish driver had always been considered good rather than exceptional, his trajectory in junior categories had not marked him as a standout prospect. His Formula 3 campaign had been solid but never translated into a true title challenge, and his 2024 season had been particularly difficult, with multiple setbacks hindering his progress.

However, Mitchell-Malm pointed out that Beganovic had already completed a significant amount of simulator work with Ferrari this year. He had also taken part in a test at Barcelona, running at the very end of a session in which Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc drove the 2023 Ferrari. Further tests and Friday practice outings with the team were reportedly on the horizon.

Mitchell-Malm suggested that Beganovic might have done just enough to position himself at the front of the queue for the next major Ferrari opportunities. If he performed well in his F1 trials with the team this year, he could be a strong candidate for a seat at a Ferrari-powered customer team. Given Ferrari’s history of placing young drivers in affiliated teams, Mitchell-Malm did not rule out the possibility of Beganovic securing a drive with Cadillac in 2026—provided everything aligned in his favor.

Who Is Ferrari Junior Dino Beganovic, and Could He Be a Strong Candidate for Cadillac in 2026?

Dino Beganovic’s recent ascent within Ferrari’s ranks has come as something of a surprise, as Scott Mitchell-Malm pointed out. While he won’t be taking on a reserve driver role for Ferrari in 2025—positions that will instead be filled by Antonio Giovinazzi and Zhou Guanyu—his participation in the team’s recent test session in Barcelona suggests that Ferrari sees significant potential in him.

At 21 years old, Beganovic competes under the Swedish flag, though he also holds Bosnian nationality. His connection with Ferrari dates back to early 2020, when the Scuderia brought him into their junior program following a successful karting career that saw him claim two championship titles in 2019. His first full season in single-seaters was equally impressive, as he finished third in the Italian F4 Championship behind current Formula 2 competitor Gabriele Mini.

Beganovic’s most notable achievement to date came in 2022 when he secured the Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) title, earning himself a step up to Formula 3. However, his two seasons at that level failed to produce headline-grabbing results, as he struggled to mount a serious title challenge.

Despite this, his transition to Formula 2 at the end of 2024 showed promise, as he competed in the final two rounds and delivered a much stronger impression. If he hopes to be in contention for a seat with Cadillac in 2026, however, there is little margin for error—he will almost certainly need to win the Formula 2 championship this season to solidify his case for a Formula 1 promotion.

Feb 13, 2025Elena Rossi

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