Phoenix 24
The Ferrari driver celebrates the birth of his first child as Dino Beganovic prepares to take his place in Friday’s opening session.
MONACO — November 4, 2026. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has become a father for the first time, welcoming a daughter named Bianca with his wife, Alexandra, just days before the São Paulo Grand Prix. The 29-year-old Monegasque confirmed the news on Wednesday, announcing that their daughter was born on November 3. The family milestone has prompted a temporary adjustment to his Formula 1 commitments, with Ferrari confirming that Swedish reserve driver Dino Beganovic will replace him during Friday’s opening free practice session at Interlagos. Leclerc is expected to return to the cockpit later in the weekend and remains scheduled to compete in Sunday’s race.
The couple shared the announcement on Instagram through a photograph of their newborn daughter’s feet, accompanied by her name and birth date. The publication quickly attracted congratulations from fellow Formula 1 drivers, including Oscar Piastri and Pierre Gasly. For Leclerc, the occasion represents an important personal milestone during one of the busiest periods of the championship. He returned to Monaco following the Mexican Grand Prix to be with Alexandra, prioritizing the birth while coordinating his return to Brazil with Ferrari.
The timing presents a challenge familiar to professional athletes whose careers involve extensive international travel. Leclerc had previously explained that he intended to spend as much time as possible with his family without missing a Grand Prix. Speaking during the United States Grand Prix weekend in October, he acknowledged that arriving later at certain events might be necessary, but emphasized his intention to compete on Sundays. His absence from the first practice session in São Paulo is consistent with that approach and should not be interpreted as confirmation that he will miss qualifying or the race.
Ferrari has used the opportunity to fulfill part of its regulatory obligations concerning young drivers. Formula 1 rules require teams to allocate designated first practice appearances to inexperienced drivers during the season, providing valuable opportunities to gain experience with current machinery. Beganovic, a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, will drive Leclerc’s SF-26 alongside Lewis Hamilton during Friday’s opening session. The arrangement serves both purposes: giving Leclerc additional time with his family and allowing Ferrari to complete a scheduled development commitment.
The Swedish driver already possesses experience in Formula 1 machinery, having participated in previous practice sessions with the Italian manufacturer. His involvement at Interlagos follows a change to Ferrari’s original plans, which had included Brazilian prospect Rafael Câmara. Câmara is instead preparing for his Formula 1 race debut with Haas following a change to that team’s driver lineup. Beganovic’s assignment therefore reflects a combination of Ferrari’s development program, the availability of its young drivers and Leclerc’s personal circumstances.
From a sporting perspective, missing the opening session creates a manageable but meaningful adjustment. Free practice allows drivers and engineers to evaluate tire behavior, aerodynamic balance, mechanical settings and changing track conditions. Interlagos is particularly demanding because its elevation changes, technical corners and frequently unpredictable weather can complicate preparation. Leclerc will have less direct track time than Hamilton before the second session, making the information collected by Beganovic and Ferrari’s engineering team important for his return.
The São Paulo Grand Prix follows a conventional weekend format in 2026, without a sprint race. The first practice session begins at 12:30 p.m. local time on Friday, November 6, followed by a second session at 4 p.m. Final practice and qualifying take place on Saturday, while Sunday’s 71-lap race is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. The format gives Leclerc additional opportunities to prepare before qualifying, reducing the competitive consequences of missing Friday’s opening hour.
Leclerc enters the Brazilian round fifth in the Drivers’ Championship, seeking to strengthen his position during the closing stages of the season. Ferrari has demonstrated competitive pace at recent events, including the Mexican Grand Prix, where Leclerc topped both Friday practice sessions. Maintaining that momentum will be important as the team balances immediate race performance with preparations for the remaining rounds. However, the significance of this particular weekend extends beyond championship standings, reflecting the personal responsibilities that continue alongside the demands of elite motorsport.
For Ferrari, the adjustment illustrates the importance of organizational flexibility. Formula 1 teams depend on detailed schedules, rapid travel and extensive technical coordination, but unforeseen circumstances can require changes without compromising competitive preparation. The availability of reserve drivers and established engineering procedures allows teams to manage such situations while maintaining their operational responsibilities.
Leclerc’s return to the cockpit will attract attention, but the central development is a personal one. After years of competing under the intense expectations associated with Ferrari, the Monegasque begins a new chapter as a father while continuing his professional career. As preparations begin at Interlagos, the team has accommodated a family milestone without announcing any change to its race lineup. The weekend offers a reminder that behind the competitive demands of Formula 1 are individuals whose lives extend well beyond the racetrack.
Phoenix24: Beyond the race, the human story. / Más allá de la carrera, la historia humana.