Formula 1 is never short on drama, but 2024 managed to serve up a peculiar plot twist: an entire season with no rookies. Not one.
It was like watching a rock band’s reunion tour—all the familiar faces, none of the raw excitement of new talent.
Thankfully, the grid is back to form for 2025 with six rookies, each armed with enough ambition to fuel a turbo-hybrid engine.
This year, the fresh blood arrives with stories as varied as their driving styles, and frankly, the paddock couldn’t be more ready for the shake-up. Let’s meet the class of 2025.
Liam Lawson – Red Bull Racing
Liam Lawson stepping into a Red Bull seat feels like an invitation to a dinner party where you’re expected to eat with cutlery you’ve never used before — and your dining partner is a four-time world champion who’s effortlessly using them to carve Michelin-starred performances.
That’s exactly the sort of challenge Lawson faces in partnering Max Verstappen in 2025.
Lawson’s journey to this point in F1 reads like a globetrotter’s guide to racing, even though he’s only 22 now. From Japan’s Super Formula to Formula 2’s cutthroat battles, he’s shown a lot of versatility and resilience.
But he’s walked into a tough crowd in F1 in particular, replacing fan-favorite Daniel Ricciardo and even bypassing Yuki Tsunoda, a move that left some fans clutching their “Bring Back Danny” merch. But Lawson’s understated charm and laser focus have already begun to win hearts within the Red Bull camp.
His task? Prove he’s not just another cog in the Verstappen-support machine. With Red Bull clawing its way back to the sharp end of the grid, Lawson’s ability to adapt, think on his feet, and maybe even rattle Verstappen a bit will define his rookie season. If he thrives, he might just rewrite the script of being the second driver at Red Bull.
Oliver Bearman – Haas
If F1 were high school, Oliver Bearman would be the effortlessly cool kid who aces the exams and still finds time to rack up millions of Instagram followers.
At just 19, he’s not only Haas’ next big hope but also a social media darling with a fan base bigger than some entire teams. But can he convert online hype into on-track heroics?
Bearman’s debut last year was a baptism of fire. Subbing in for Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz at Jeddah, he defied expectations with a P7 finish. His second cameo, for Haas in Azerbaijan, only cemented his reputation as a driver who thrives under pressure.
Now, with a full-time F1 seat alongside Esteban Ocon, the young Brit has a shot at proving he’s more than just a flash in the pan.
Bearman’s charm lies in his ability to balance youthful exuberance with a maturity beyond his years.
His partnership with Ocon—a man who knows the midfield trenches like the back of his hand—could be pivotal. If Haas continues its upward trajectory, Bearman’s rookie campaign could become one of the standout stories of 2025.
Jack Doohan – Alpine
At 21, Jack Doohan’s arrival feels like motorsport’s version of nepotism done right.
When your dad is Mick Doohan, the MotoGP legend, expectations tend to inflate faster than Pirellis on a hot Silverstone day. But Jack has carved his path the hard way, and now he’s ready to prove he belongs in the rarefied air of Formula 1.
His debut at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a surprise cameo after Esteban Ocon’s unexpected departure, and while he didn’t score points, his composure on track in his first F1 race spoke volumes.
Teaming up with Pierre Gasly at Alpine in 2025, Doohan enters a team that’s still wiping the debris of previous internal chaos off its metaphorical visor. Oliver Oakes’ leadership has steadied the ship, but Doohan’s job is to make sure it sails further up the grid.
Jack’s junior career hints at solid, if unspectacular, credentials. But F1’s history books are littered with drivers who blossomed late.
His rookie season will hinge on his ability to extract performance from the car and build a rapport with the technical team. With the right mix of grit and flair, Doohan could surprise even the most skeptical paddock veterans.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s rise feels ripped straight from a Hollywood script.
Once a grid kid at Monza, cheering for Lewis Hamilton, the Italian prodigy now steps into Hamilton’s big shoes at Mercedes. And he turned 18 just a couple of months ago.
Toto Wolff didn’t just call him the next big thing; he’s practically built the Mercedes future around him.
Antonelli’s junior career is as sparkling as an Italian Prosecco: double championships in Formula 4 and FRECA, followed by a promising rookie season in Formula 2, have marked him out as a generational talent.
But F1 is a different beast, and Antonelli’s fearless aggression will need careful calibration. His FP1 crash at Monza last year is a reminder that raw pace needs a side order of control.
Partnering George Russell, Antonelli couldn’t have a better mentor. The Italian driver’s mission is clear: soak up knowledge, minimize rookie errors, and give the tifosi a reason to dust off their tricolore flags.
With Mercedes banking on his long-term potential, Antonelli’s rookie year might not be about instant fireworks but rather laying the foundation for an illustrious career.
Gabriel Bortoleto – Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto’s story has the romantic flair you’d expect from a Brazilian racer.
Once a relative unknown, his meteoric rise through Formula 3 and Formula 2 turned heads faster than a Senna highlight reel. Now, as he joins Sauber, he carries the hopes of a nation starved for its next F1 hero.
Sauber—soon to morph into Audi—offers a low-pressure environment, perfect for a rookie learning the ropes.
Partnering Nico Hülkenberg, a man who’s practically seen it all, Bortoleto has a golden opportunity to soak up invaluable experience. His junior career, marked by a knack for racecraft and a cool head under pressure, suggests he’s up for the challenge.
Brazil has a rich F1 history, and Bortoleto’s arrival reignites the country’s passion for the sport.
While podiums might be a distant dream for him in 2025, especially at Sauber, his ability to punch above his weight will be crucial for the team’s long-term aspirations.
If he keeps his head down and delivers consistent performances, Bortoleto could be the cornerstone of Audi’s ambitious 2026 plans.
Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls
Isack Hadjar is not here to make noise (or maybe he is); he’s here to make progress. The French-Algerian driver’s understated approach might not grab headlines, but his results in junior categories speak volumes.
Now at Racing Bulls, he’s ready to prove that slow and steady can indeed win the race—or at least secure a long-term seat in F1.
Hadjar’s F2 season last year featured moments of brilliance, including a narrow escape from disaster in Monaco’s tunnel that showcased his lightning-fast reactions. While he’s yet to claim a championship, his ability to stay composed under pressure makes him an ideal fit for Racing Bull’s developmental ethos.
Partnering Yuki Tsunoda, Hadjar has the chance to fly under the radar while honing his craft. If he can deliver consistent performances, he might just earn a ticket to Red Bull’s main stage in the future.
The 2025 season promises to be a page-turner with this brand-new cast of characters.
From Lawson’s baptism of fire at Red Bull to Antonelli’s fairytale rise at Mercedes, these rookies aren’t here to make up the numbers. They’re here to shake things up, ruffle a few feathers, and maybe even redefine what’s possible in a rookie season.
As the lights go out in Melbourne, we’re poised for a season of unpredictability, grit, and a healthy dose of drama. Will these young guns thrive under the spotlight, or will they falter?
One thing’s for sure: the class of 2025 is ready to make Formula 1’s veterans sweat.
Buckle up, folks. This is going to be fun.
