Spotlight on the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy’s Rising Talents in 2025
Every aspiring driver in the world of single-seater racing dreams of reaching the pinnacle: Formula 1. For those involved in driver academies, the pathway to achieving this ambition is significantly smoother. In this analysis, we delve into the performances of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy’s members in 2025, a year marked by new talent and remarkable achievements.
A New Era for Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy
With the graduation of Ollie Bearman to a full-time seat in Formula 1 with Haas, the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy found itself on the lookout for fresh talent to carry the torch into 2025. The academy had celebrated two titles at the Formula Regional level in the previous year, yet it was eager to crown a champion in the F1 support series—namely Formula 2 (F2), Formula 3 (F3), and F1 Academy—for the first time since Mick Schumacher clinched the F2 drivers’ championship in 2020.
As the 2025 season approached, the academy welcomed two promising young drivers: Noah Baglin and Filippo Sala, both of whom had made their mark in karting. This brought the total number of drivers in the academy to seven. Looking ahead, the roster is set to expand further in 2026 with the additions of Alba Hurup Larsen from F1 Academy and Niccolò Maccagnani from Italian F4.
Current Roster of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy
- Dino Beganovic (F2, P7)
- Rafael Câmara (F3, P1)
- Tuukka Taponen (F3, P9)
- *Maya Weug (F1 Academy, P2; FR Europe, P39)**
- *Aurelia Nobels (F1 Academy, P13; Eurocup-4 SWC, P28; E4, P40)**
- Noah Baglin (Karting, various)
- Filippo Sala (Karting, various)
Dino Beganovic: A Season of Growth in F2
Dino Beganovic, a member of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy since 2020, embarked on his first full-time season in Formula 2 with Hitech in 2025. His previous experience included a brief stint with DAMS at the end of the 2024 season, where he celebrated a podium finish at Yas Marina and secured two additional points finishes.
Despite being the 2022 Formula Regional Europe champion, Beganovic faced challenges in maintaining consistency during the initial half of the season. After a disappointing start, he showcased his potential by clinching his first pole position at Imola. Although he couldn’t convert this opportunity into a win, he managed a commendable third-place finish.
The latter part of the season proved more fruitful for Beganovic, as he started gaining momentum. He notched up points in 11 of the final 13 races, culminating in a victory during the sprint race in Baku. By the end of his first full season, he secured seventh place in the drivers’ standings, contributing to Hitech’s push for a strong team finish. Eager for more, Beganovic is set to continue in F2 for a second season with DAMS in 2026.
Rafael Câmara: Dominance in F3
Rafael Câmara emerged as one of the standout stars of the 2025 season in junior single-seaters. After a successful campaign in Formula Regional Europe, the Brazilian entered his rookie season in Formula 3 with Trident, a team renowned for its championship pedigree.
From the outset, Câmara displayed an impressive performance, dominating feature races in Melbourne and Sakhir, along with another victory in Barcelona. His early success propelled him to the top of the drivers’ standings. However, his journey was not without its hurdles, as he faced challenges during the sprint races, including two retirements.
Despite these setbacks, Câmara maintained his lead and ultimately clinched the F3 title at the Hungaroring with a race to spare, solidifying his spot in the history books. Following in the footsteps of successful drivers like Gabriel Bortoleto and Leonardo Fornaroli, Câmara is set to make his debut in Formula 2 with Invicta, aiming for back-to-back championships.
Tuukka Taponen: A Competitive Rookie Season
Finnish driver Tuukka Taponen, who had previously been a fierce competitor against Câmara in Formula Regional Europe, made his full-time debut in Formula 3 in 2025 with ART Grand Prix. Taponen displayed determination and skill despite a rocky start, securing his first points in Bahrain with a third-place finish in the sprint race.
After a solid beginning, Taponen faced difficulties in maintaining consistent results, which affected his standings. Nevertheless, he showed flashes of brilliance, such as a third-place finish in the feature race at Hungaroring. By the end of the season, Taponen concluded his rookie campaign in ninth place in the championship, the highest among his ART teammates.
Looking ahead to 2026, Taponen remains in F3, transitioning to MP Motorsport, where he aims to return to his winning ways after a challenging year.
Maya Weug: A Strong Performance in F1 Academy
Maya Weug entered the 2025 F1 Academy season with the momentum of a championship win in the previous year. Transitioning from Prema Racing to MP Motorsport, Weug kicked off the season with a series of podium finishes, including a significant victory in Jeddah, which placed her at the forefront of the championship battle.
However, her campaign faced challenges, particularly during the mid-season races in Montréal, where she struggled to score valuable points. Despite these setbacks, Weug rebounded with impressive performances in Zandvoort and Marina Bay, including a thrilling last-lap victory in wet conditions.
The championship finale in Las Vegas proved to be a dramatic affair, with Weug forced to retire early in race one due to a collision, complicating her title aspirations. While she managed to secure a top-three finish in race two, her quest for the championship fell just short, finishing second overall.
In addition to her F1 Academy commitments, Weug also participated in the Formula Regional Europe round at Hungaroring. Her performance there was less than stellar, but her achievements in F1 Academy have opened doors for future opportunities, including a test session in a Ferrari 296 GT3.
Aurelia Nobels: Rising from Challenges
Aurelia Nobels had a busy 2024, competing in various championships. In 2025, she focused primarily on F1 Academy, returning to ART Grand Prix for her second season. While her start to the season was rocky, with retirements in Shanghai and no points in Jeddah, she gradually found her rhythm.
Her breakthrough moment came in Miami, where she secured sixth place in a reverse-grid race. From there, Nobels continued to improve, scoring points in several races and achieving her first podium finish in Las Vegas after a disqualification for another driver.
Ultimately, Nobels finished the season in 13th place overall, scoring 17 points. Although she struggled initially, her perseverance paid off in the latter half of the season. With her two-year stint in F1 Academy concluded, her future racing plans remain uncertain.
Noah Baglin: A Karting Prodigy
Noah Baglin, a promising talent from the UK, joined the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy at the start of 2025 following a series of commendable finishes in international OK-Junior competitions. Competing in the WSK Super Master Series, Baglin consistently remained in the top four, narrowly missing the championship title.
In addition to his WSK performances, Baglin engaged in a fierce title battle in the FIA Karting European Championship. Although he initially finished second, a disqualification dropped him to third place. Nevertheless, his performances set the stage for a strong showing at the FIA Karting World Championship.
Baglin’s remarkable skills shone through at the world championship event, where he not only took pole position but also led the race, ultimately clinching the title and making history as the OKJ world champion. This victory placed him among the ranks of notable karting champions and solidified his position at the forefront of the FIA’s International Karting Ranking.
Filippo Sala: A Newcomer to Watch
Filippo Sala made history in 2025 by becoming the first Italian to join the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy since Antonio Fuoco. Although still too young for most racing categories, Sala has been making waves in the karting scene, currently ranked 10th in the FIA International Karting Rankings.
This year, Sala progressed to the OK class of karting, achieving notable finishes such as fourth in the WSK Super Master Series and second in the WSK Euro Series. He also performed well in FIA Karting events, concluding the European championship in fourth place and the world championship in tenth. Sala ended the year on a high note with a victory at the WSK Final Cup.
Looking ahead, Sala is set to continue in senior karting in 2026, where he is expected to further develop his skills and potentially make his mark in car racing in the future.
The Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy is nurturing a new generation of talent, with its members demonstrating remarkable potential across various racing series. As these young drivers continue to develop, they represent the future of motorsport and the enduring legacy of Ferrari in the world of Formula 1.
