F1 2025 rookies: Introducing Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Liam Lawson, Oliver Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto, Jack Doohan, Isack Hadjar

System 1’s new-look grid for 2025 options six rookies, including one more thrilling component to what guarantees to be an enthralling season.

As if Lewis Hamilton driving for Ferrari in what could possibly be a wide-open title battle in some way wasn’t sufficient, six younger stars are bringing one other layer of intrigue.

With two of them getting the uncommon alternative to enter potential race-winning vehicles, these plots may but even remarkably intertwine.

Because the 2025 automotive launches and pre-season testing quickly method, we introduce you to F1’s new technology of drivers.

Oliver Bearman – Haas

Age: 19 (08/05/2005)

Nation: Nice Britain

Automotive quantity: 87

Path to F1: Britain’s Ollie Bearman burst onto the radar of System 1 followers in March 2024 as he obtained the extraordinarily uncommon alternative of constructing his System 1 debut in a front-running automotive.

With Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz all of a sudden sidelined by appendicitis in Saudi Arabia, the then 18-year-old Bearman took full benefit as he impressed by taking seventh on the difficult, high-speed circuit.

Whereas he could have felt like a lottery winner as he grew to become the youngest ever driver to race for Ferrari in F1, being able to grab the chance was a results of years of laborious work.

The Essex-born teenager was signed to the Ferrari Driver Academy on the age of 16 in 2021 after claiming titles in each the Italian and German System 4.

With Ferrari’s backing, Bearman superior to System 3 in 2022, the place he would rating one race victory on his option to ending third within the championship.

He would proceed with Prema in System 2 the next yr, claiming 4 wins on his option to sixth within the championship, whereas additionally catching the attention throughout F1 observe session appearances for Haas in Abu Dhabi and Mexico.

He remained in F2 for the 2024 season, however would have his massive F1 breakthrough in Saudi Arabia, earlier than Haas, who’re carefully linked with Ferrari, introduced his signing for 2025 in July.

Bearman would additional underline his potential by taking a degree on his Haas race debut as he deputised for the suspended Kevin Magnussen in Azerbaijan.

Skilled opinion – Sky Sports activities F1’s Anthony Davidson: “Ollie Bearman, the super-sub, gets his chance to embark on a full season with Haas this year after superbly filling in for the injured Sainz in Jeddah, scoring points on his debut, and then we saw him on the grid again, replacing Magnussen at Haas for two more races.

“He’ll be relishing the possibility to begin a extra structured season with some winter testing miles within the automotive that he’ll be racing, and approaching race weekends with a clearer plan.

“He has a tough competitor alongside him though in Esteban Ocon, and thus gives us a good benchmark of his performances this year, which I’m sure Ferrari will be keeping a close eye on too as he remains part of their young driver programme.”

What else? The Brit’s favorite F1 driver rising up was Sebastian Vettel. Bearman revealed the four-time world champion despatched him a good-luck message forward of his debut in Saudi Arabia.

Bearman’s appearances in F1 races have been accompanied by common entertaining cutaways to his father, David, within the storage.

He mentioned final yr: “I receive a lot of support from my dad, he’s shadowing me all the way. When they show him on TV it looks to me like he’s actually driving the track with me. He comes to all my races, and he’s only missed maybe 10 in my career, I can probably count on my hands how many he’s missed.”

Liam Lawson – Pink Bull

Age: 23 (11/02/2002)

Nation: New Zealand

Automotive quantity: 30

Path to F1: Having waited and waited, Liam Lawson lastly has a (everlasting) probability in a System 1 seat. His journey to changing into world champion Max Verstappen’s team-mate was a bit completely different to lots of his European contemporaries, largely because of the reality he’s from New Zealand.

The Kiwi managed to face out on the home scene, notably when successful the Toyota Racing Collection in 2019, which might result in him being signed onto the Pink Bull Junior Programme later that yr.

Being signed to the fiercely aggressive Pink Bull system is much from a assure of a future seat in F1, and Lawson needed to bide his time as he spent two seasons in System 3 and an extra two campaigns in System 2 from 2020-2023.

The F1 carrot was dangled as he drove in his first three F1 observe periods in 2022, however he was ignored for a 2023 F1 seat as Pink Bull’s sister squad (then-named AlphaTauri) went for Nyck de Vries, after which changed the struggling Dutchman with Daniel Ricciardo halfway by means of the yr.

Nevertheless, an damage sustained by Ricciardo in a crash on the Dutch GP would give his full F1 debut and a five-race run, of which the spotlight was a ninth-placed end in Singapore.

He must wait till the ultimate six races of 2024 for his subsequent probability as Ricciardo was let go, and as soon as extra impressed with factors finishes within the USA and Brazil.

Whereas it was all-but confirmed Lawson would have a full-time seat in 2025, few suspected that might be alongside Verstappen, however he was chosen forward of RB team-mate Yuki Tsunoda for the large alternative after Sergio Perez was let go by Pink Bull.

Skilled opinion – Sky Sports activities F1’s Anthony Davidson: “With only 11 Grands Prix under his belt, Liam Lawson steps into the hot seat alongside one of the best F1 drivers the world has ever seen, Max Verstappen, without question making it a career-defining moment.

“His transient is straightforward: deliver residence championship factors regularly in an effort to assist Pink Bull struggle for the Constructors’ Championship. There will be no hiding, and the strain will probably be immense for him, however up to now he is clearly impressed the proper individuals, whose opinions matter.

“It will be one of the highlights for me, seeing how he gets on this year at the sharp end of the grid.”

What else? In his F1 profession so far, Lawson has proven himself to be an extremely fierce competitor.

Throughout his second stint with RB, in 2024, Lawson received into battles with the likes of Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez, which might each spill off monitor.

Whereas the game’s veterans appeared to be rubbed up the mistaken approach by Lawson’s fearless and uncompromising nature, some suspect that present of grit could have been an important think about Pink Bull boss Christian Horner inserting the Kiwi into the highest job.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes

Age: 18 (25/08/2006)

Nation: Italy

Automotive quantity: 12

Path to F1: Having dominated varied karting championships, Antonelli was scouted by Mercedes on the age of simply 13 and signed to their junior programme in 2019.

He made the change from karts to vehicles at 15 years previous and shortly started to draw extra consideration as he dominated the Italian and German F4 classes in 2022

Antonelli continued to impress as he received the System Regional Center East and European championships, main Mercedes to fast-track him straight into System 2, slightly than System 3.

The strain ramped up as Lewis Hamilton’s departure for Ferrari opened up a 2025 Mercedes seat, and it initially seemed to be an excessive amount of as Antonelli made a sluggish begin to his F2 marketing campaign.

Nevertheless, simply as Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was coming below strain himself to decide throughout the summer time, Antonelli produced a few well timed victories at Silverstone after which in Budapest that will have sealed the seat for him.

Antonelli’s first F1 observe session, with all eyes on him at Monza in September, did to not go to plan as he shunted George Russell’s Mercedes right into a barrier after simply 10 minutes, however even in that quick time he confirmed spectacular pace.

Skilled opinion – Sky Sports activities F1’s Karun Chandhok: “I think Antonelli comes into the season as the rookie with the most eyes on him. He’s in a top seat, he’s taken over a seat vacated by Lewis Hamilton. Mercedes have chosen to not have Carlos Sainz and promote him up after one season of F2, so it’s a big, big task for him.

“He is very, very proficient, there is not any doubt about it, when it comes to pure pure expertise. I’ve seen him in junior classes, I’ve spoken to individuals who labored with him, and so they all fee him very extremely.

“Being in an F1 environment with the pressure of being in a top team is something different to being in the lower categories when you can kind of go under the radar. Now he’s going to have people like me in the commentary box analysing every lap he does, and suddenly the pressure to deliver is much higher.

“I believe he’ll be very, very fast in qualifying, however as Oscar Piastri has proven us not too long ago, the larger problem lately for rookies is maybe within the races with the lengthy runs. Mercedes have completed a substantial amount of work to organize him, he’ll be the best-prepared rookie coming into F1 for a really very long time, so he is received an amazing alternative to shine.”

What else? The large information of Antonelli’s low season was that he handed his driving check.

Sure, he was doubtlessly going to be competing in System 1 with out truly having the ability to drive an everyday street automotive.

Having solely turned 18 in August final yr, Antonelli received the job completed in fairly fast time, however did admit he discovered the speculation component of the Italian check difficult.

Good luck with the F1 rulebook, Kimi!

Jack Doohan – Alpine

Age: 22 (20/01/2003)

Nation: Australia

Automotive quantity: 7

Path to F1: Born into motorsport royalty because the son of five-time MotoGP champion Mick Doohan, Jack received the Australian Karting Championship in 2015 and 2016 earlier than being signed as a Pink Bull junior in 2017.

He labored his approach up the motorsport ladder by means of varied F4 classes earlier than making it to System 3 in 2020. He struggled badly in his first marketing campaign however would make main enhancements the next yr as he completed second within the championship.

Earlier than stepping as much as System 2 in 2022, Doohan made what was seen as a shocking resolution to go away Pink Bull to affix the Alpine Academy, with the chance to characteristic in F1 observe periods, which he would do from 2022-2024, a key motivator.

He made a scrappy begin in F2 however would display his expertise with an outstanding victory at Spa on his option to ending sixth within the total standings. Doohan would enhance once more in 2023 to assert three characteristic race wins on his option to ending third in F2 the next yr, however his lack of a title after transferring up from karting left doubt as as to whether he had completed sufficient to earn a possibility in F1.

Having had his 2025 seat confirmed in August, the Australian lastly made his F1 debut within the final spherical of the 2024 season as Alpine shuffled Esteban Ocon out the door a race early to get Doohan some expertise.

Nevertheless, pleasure round his massive probability has been considerably tainted by Alpine’s January signing of Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver, with many suspicious Doohan may already be on borrowed time earlier than his debut season has even begun.

Skilled opinion – Sky Sports activities F1’s Anthony Davidson: “Jack Doohan had been patiently waiting for a race seat at Alpine since his F2 days and finally got that chance to line up on the grid at the final race in Abu Dhabi last year in preparation for this season.

“However not lengthy after he had signed, Colapinto arrives on the scene, placing speedy strain on his shoulders even earlier than we get to the primary race.

“It’s obviously not an ideal situation to be in. There will certainly be no time to ease himself in as Doohan will be looking to cement his position in the team and make himself irreplaceable.”

What else? Doohan was gifted his first kart by none aside from seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher, who grew to become an in depth pal of Mick Doohan with the pair each dwelling in Monaco throughout their skilled careers.

The youthful Doohan two years in the past posted an lovely photograph of Schumacher holding him as a toddler, wishing his “biggest inspiration and idol” a contented birthday.

Gabriel Bortoleto – Sauber

Age: 20 (14/10/2004)

Nation: Brazil

Automotive quantity: 5

Path to F1: Having began karting on the age of six, Bortoleto confirmed such expertise that his household have been compelled to maneuver to Europe by the point he was 12 to allow him to pursue his racing dream.

After karting success in 2018 and 2019, he made the leap to racing vehicles in 2020, the place he completed fifth in Italian F4, earlier than transferring as much as System Regional the place his performances have been as soon as extra strong however not spectacular.

It was in 2023 when Bortoleto established himself as one to look at by changing into F3 champion in his rookie marketing campaign. His capability to shortly adapt to completely different single-seater vehicles and get stronger in quicker equipment, which bodes properly for F1, was observed by McLaren who subsequently signed him as much as their Driver Growth Programme.

Bortoleto graduated to F2 and instantly flashed his expertise by taking pole on the season opener, however a combination of crashes and technical points would disrupt his early progress as at one level he retired from three consecutive races.

Apart from a pole place and maiden podium at Imola, inconsistency would proceed to blight Bortoleto till his season clicked into place with a maiden victory in Austria.

That victory marked the beginning of a run of 5 podiums throughout the ultimate eight characteristic races, together with one other win at Monza, that might see him grow to be simply the sixth driver to win the F2 title in his rookie marketing campaign, becoming a member of the likes of Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Charles Leclerc.

Even earlier than his F2 title was sealed, Sauber, quickly to be Audi, noticed sufficient within the Brazilian to signal him as much as drive alongside Nico Hulkenberg in 2025. He’s the one member of the brand new rookie group but to have pushed in an official F1 session.

Skilled opinion – Sky Sports activities F1’s Karun Chandhok: “There are some very high hopes for Bortoleto. People who worked with him in F2 have told me he was extremely mature and calm, didn’t flap, didn’t stress and they really thought he was the complete package in terms of his feedback, technical ability and most importantly, his outright speed.

“They actually spoke extremely about his capability to suppose by means of a race, stay calm and execute a technique.

“Going into Sauber is a good opportunity to learn from Nico Hulkenberg. I think that will be really helpful. Sauber are in a bit of a limbo until they turn into Audi but he’s got a great chance to show that he should be the works Audi driver when they enter F1 in 2026.”

What else? The eagle-eyed did not have to see Bortoleto’s F3 triumph to know he was a particular expertise.

A yr earlier than that, in 2022, Bortoleto was snapped up by Fernando Alonso’s driver administration firm, A14.

The 20-year-old was not even born when Alonso made his F1 debut in 2001 however will now be racing in opposition to the two-time world champion, who has been maintaining an in depth eye on him.

“He’s an incredible talent and a very humble person as well,” Alonso mentioned of his protégé final yr.

Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls

Age: 20 (28/09/2004)

Nation: France

Automotive quantity: 6

Path to F1: The ultimate driver to have his place confirmed on F1’s 2025 grid, Hadjar maybe arrives at motorsport’s high desk because the rookie that least is anticipated of, at the very least within the quick time period.

The tenacious 20-year-old has fought laborious for his seat, beginning out in karting earlier than progressing to the French F4 Championship.

Whereas there weren’t any titles, his development would result in a 2021 drive within the System Regional European Championship. He saved his finest for the grandest of events as he drove fantastically to dominate and win in Monaco, catching the attention of Helmut Marko, who would instantly signal him to Pink Bull’s junior programme.

He moved onto F3 in 2022 and would ship a powerful marketing campaign as he flirted with championship rivalry earlier than finally ending the season in fourth.

Regardless of flashes of pace, his debut F2 marketing campaign in 2023 was one thing of a wrestle as he solely completed 14th, however Pink Bull, unperturbed, gave him two F1 observe session outings in direction of the tip of the season.

Their religion can be rewarded – to some extent – in 2024 as Hadjar received 4 characteristic races to determine a 36-point lead on the high of the standings going into the summer time break.

Nevertheless, his title quest would crumble with two pointless weekends and a disappointing finale in Abu Dhabi that noticed him lose out to Bortoleto by 22.5 factors.

It could possibly be argued that his insertion to an RB seat alongside Yuki Tsunoda was extra a mirrored image of a scarcity of choices for Pink Bull slightly than Hadjar having grasped the chance, however he now has the possibility to show his doubters mistaken.

Skilled opinion – Sky Sports activities F1’s Karun Chandhok: “He’s an interesting one, obviously quite a fiery character. We all heard some pretty explosive rants on the radio last year in F2. He’s ended up in this situation quite late in the day because of the Lawson-Perez switch, but he’s got to make use of it.

“He is clearly quick however there are many quick drivers. I believe the distinction is the psychological power, dealing with the strain of F1 and the eye you get. Plus, he is received to have the ability to tackle Yuki Tsunoda, who’s properly entrenched with that crew.

“Given it could be Tsunoda’s last season with the team as their Honda deal ends, there’s a lot at stake for Hadjar because a good season could set him up for the next few years. He’s got to have a calming structure around him to help him execute the race weekends well.”

What else? The diminutive Hadjar struggled early in his profession with not having the ability to correctly attain the pedals in sure classes.

His measurement, expertise and feisty nature led Marko to present him the slightly complimentary nickname ‘Petit Prost’ – a reference to four-time world champion Alain Prost.

With France not having had an F1 champion since Prost’s last triumph in 1993, Hadjar would undoubtedly exceed expectations if he have been to finish that wait.

No matter his outcomes, Hadjar is probably going to supply some radio gold for F1 watchers this season, along with his ardour exhibiting by means of in each the great moments and dangerous.

Watch all 24 race weekends from the 2025 System 1 season reside on Sky Sports activities F1, beginning with the Australian GP on March 14-16. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime