GP winner evaluates all six rookies for the 2025 F1 season.
A former Grand Prix victor has analyzed the largest lineup of rookies in Formula 1 in over ten years. While there are no entirely new drivers on the 2024 grid, six competitors are making their full-time debuts this season, amounting to 30 percent of the field.
Among these six, three have already participated in Grand Prix races: Max Verstappen's new teammate at Red Bull Racing, Liam Lawson (11 races), Jack Doohan (1 race), and Ferrari-supported newcomer Oliver Bearman at Haas (3 races). Ralf Schumacher has predicted, "Bearman is a top driver who will present challenges for Esteban Ocon."
British racer Bearman is only 19, but even younger is Lewis Hamilton’s successor at Mercedes, Kimi Antonelli. Schumacher remarked, "Antonelli demonstrates impressive speed, but he must learn to exercise restraint," referencing the young Italian’s crash during practice at Monza last year. "Fortunately, he has Toto Wolff as a strong mentor who supports him."
In contrast, Jack Doohan is entering his first full season amidst uncertainty, as Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore is reportedly eager to replace the Australian with new recruit Franco Colapinto. Schumacher, who secured six Grand Prix victories in his career, stated, "Doohan is in a challenging situation. Without strong performance, Briatore's guarantee is non-existent. He will be replaced if he doesn't deliver the results," the 49-year-old German noted.
The other two rookies for 2025 are both aged 20 - Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls and reigning Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto, who clinched the F3 title the previous year. Schumacher commented, "Bortoleto has achieved significant success in both Formula 3 and Formula 2, but he will face tough competition with Sauber. He has completed the fewest tests, making qualifying against Nico Hulkenberg particularly difficult. He needs to avoid trying too hard."
Lastly, regarding Hadjar, Schumacher concluded, "He is challenging to evaluate—an exceptional racer with great control, strong in overtakes, but also a bit impulsive. He still has much to learn, but with a strong team, he will pose challenges for Yuki Tsunoda."
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GP winner evaluates all six rookies for the 2025 F1 season.
Formula 1 | A former grand prix champion has taken a look at the largest group of rookies seen in more than ten years in Formula 1. Although there wasn't a single (…)