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 the Austrian Grand Prix, the Scuderia will have satisfied half of the required rookie sessions, with the other two set to be in Lewis Hamilton's car.

Taking to social media, Ferrari wrote: "A big moment in red @DinoBeganovic4 will get back behind the wheel of Charles’ car for FP1 in Spielberg."

Back in April, Beganovic, 21, drove Leclerc's car for FP1 at the Bahrain Grand Prix and is currently 10th in the F2 standings.

Dino Beganovic will drive for Ferrari during FP1 in Austria. Image: Getty

Aside from Ferrari, McLaren will also put a rookie in the car for FP1.

The championship leaders have confirmed that youngster Alex Dunne will replace Norris for the 60-minute-long session.

Dunne, 19, will become the first Irish driver in 22 years to take part in an F1 Grand Prix weekend.

He said: "It's an amazing opportunity to be able to drive during FP1 in Austria. I'm really looking forward to getting laps in behind the wheel of the MCL39 and supporting the team with the set-up for the race weekend ahead.

"I've been preparing well for the sessions, taking part in testing of previous cars tests in the MCL60 and spending time on the simulator, which has been a fantastic learning experience."