New generation takes F1 by storm: Who could be Rookie of the Year in '25?
F1 News
Many youngsters are getting their opportunity in Formula 1. After a great debut for Oliver Bearman as a substitute for Ferrari, Franco Colapinto's promising start, and Liam Lawson now tipped to become a Red Bull driver, many in the paddock see the next generation has arrived. We name you one reason why every new full-time driver could become the Rookie of the Year in 2025 out of the competitors that already have a seat announced.
Bearman - Has valuable experience
Once a driver gets a chance to drive a Formula 1 car at a weekend as a substitute, they can all but confirm their place if they perform well. Many times already that was the case, with Nyck de Vries or after Liam Lawson drove the AlphaTauri car for the first time, once Daniel Ricciardo made a mistake, the broadcast instantly showed the driver from New Zealand. Out of the rookies, the Briton could compete the most at weekends in the competition, so many that he didn't qualify for the Young Driver Test, in situations where it was important to score points, and also drove competitively on a rainy track.
Antonelli - Will have a frontrunner car
The young Italian is the only one, on paper, who could compete for podiums immediately next year, driving for Mercedes. It will be important for the 18-year-old's confidence to complete many milestones immediately. It will not be an easy challenge, especially having Grand Prix-winner George Russell alongside him. But if Toto Wolff and the Mercedes crew can help him grow, and if he has the car, he also the chance to aim for higher achievements in his rookie year. While some people might suggest it was just too early, it is just as possible that Antonelli could take advantage of the situation.
Bortoleto - Best chance to overperform
In 2024, Sauber scored four points in total, only finishing inside the Top 10 in Qatar thanks to Guanyu Zhou. For context, Bearman could score more points with just three Grands Prix weekends. F2 champion Bortoleto therefore has the lowest bar to clear to outperform expectations if he finishes inside the points on multiple occasions before the team become Audi in 2026. He also has a highly-regarded teammate in Nico Hulkenberg. If the Brazilian can defeat him, that will only make his value higher. And similarly to Charles Leclerc and George Russell, he could win F2 (previously GP2) and F3 (previous GP3) in his rookie seasons.
Doohan - The pressure to perform
Bearman has proved himself at Grands Prix, Toto Wolff declared to GPblog among others "it's also a year of managing expectations for Kimi" about the 2025 season, and Gabriel Bortoleto has signed a multi-year deal with Sauber/Audi, that shows that the Germans are willing to bet on his talent. Jack Doohan does not have that luxury, as it was already rumoured the French team were already considering Franco Colapinto. "We have contracts with Gasly, Doohan and [reserve driver Paul] Aron for next season. If there would be a possibility to bring in Colapinto for 2026, that is something to think about," Flavio Briatore told Auto, Motor und Sport on this matter. From Day 1, Doohan has to show why he is worthy of having a seat in F1.
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