Formula 1 - Generation 2025: after 5 races, a mixed picture for the 5 rookies

After five Grand Prix races, or a little over 20% of the championship, it's time to make an initial assessment of these five rookies, ranked in ascending order in the standings at the end of April 2025.

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber – 20th, 0 points

Gabriel Bortoleto follows in the footsteps of Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Oscar Piastri, as a rookie driver who won the Formula 2 and Formula 3 titles. The Brazilian distinguished himself during his victorious F2 campaign, notably by climbing from last to first place in the Monza race. However, his first season in Formula 1 is proving difficult, hampered by an uncompetitive Sauber.

Despite a modest start, with his best position being 14th at the Chinese Grand Prix, Gabriel Bortoleto, currently last in the championship, managed to outperform Nico Hülkenberg in qualifying in Australia. Combative and diligent, he remains determined and motivated.

Performance:

• Average qualifying position: 17.8

Average race position: 17.4

• Average fastest lap rank: 13

• Best result: P14 (China)

Percentage of points scored for his team: 0

Jack Doohan, Alpine – 19th, 0 points

Highly anticipated, Jack Doohan struggles to deliver. Between avoidable accidents and occasional brilliance, the Australian has yet to find consistency and, after five races, has no points on the board. However, his pure pace compared to Pierre Gasly reassures Alpine, to the extent that replacement rumors have slightly diminished. The potential is there, and he needs to put everything together to score his first points in F1.

Performance:

• Average qualifying position: 15.8

• Average race position: 14.8

• Average fastest lap rank: 13.5

Best result: P13 (China)

Percentage of points scored for his team: 0

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls – 14th, 5 points

Discreet upon his arrival, Isack Hadjar continues to impress, garnering praise from more and more figures in the paddock. Despite a heartbreaking retirement on the formation lap of his first Grand Prix — a memorable scene where Anthony Hamilton came to comfort him — the Frenchman quickly bounced back by scoring his first points in Japan. Taking advantage of the internal reorganization at Racing Bulls, Hadjar has established himself as a solid leader against Liam Lawson.

Although he only scored one point in the last Grand Prix, trapped behind the two Williams who skillfully played as a team, the Frenchman showed great fighting spirit. His rapid progress and clear-headedness on the track make him a serious contender for the future of Red Bull. He is also the rookie who brought the highest percentage of points to his team, with 62% of the total.

Performance:

Average qualifying position: 10.2

Average race position: 11.6

• Average rank for the fastest lap: 9.2

• Best result: P8 (Japan)

Percentage of points scored for his team: 62%

Oliver Bearman, Haas – 13th, 6 points

Although Oliver Bearman has already raced three times in 2024, first stepping in for Carlos Sainz at the last minute after his appendicitis operation, then for Haas in Azerbaijan and São Paulo in place of Kevin Magnussen, the Briton is still considered a rookie in 2025. After a missed start in Melbourne, Bearman quickly turned things around and is currently 13th in the championship with a total of 6 points.

The Haas driver shows promising consistency, with three consecutive races in the points (China, Japan, and Bahrain), and has even sometimes been faster than Esteban Ocon in qualifying twice (Japan and Saudi Arabia). At Haas, the chemistry works well between the two drivers, and the team is already pleased with their decision to invest in Bearman.

Performance:

Average qualifying position: 16.4

Average race position: 12.8

Average fastest lap rank: 14.4

• Best result: P8 (China)

• Percentage of points scored for his team: 30

Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes – 6th, 38 points

Announced as a year of learning, 2025 actually marks the emergence of Kimi Antonelli. The 18-year-old Italian prodigy alternates between difficult weekends, like in Bahrain, and brilliant performances, such as his fourth place in his first Grand Prix in Australia, or his fastest lap during the Japanese Grand Prix. With a total of 38 points, he is sixth in the championship. The Italian has also claimed two records previously held by Max Verstappen: the youngest driver to lead a Grand Prix and to set the fastest lap in a race (at 18 years, 7 months, and 12 days). He was also voted "Driver of the Day" at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Despite a 6-0 qualifying score in favor of his teammate George Russell, Mercedes remains fully confident in the raw potential of their young talent. His striking arrival at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where he appeared physically strained, is a reminder of how crucial physical commitment is at this level of competition.

Performance:

• Average qualifying position: 7.8

Average race position: 8.2

• Average position fastest lap: 7

• Best result: P4 (Australia)

Percentage of points scored for his team: 34

The season is still long, but these five young talents have already proven they are not here by chance. Between sometimes brutal learning experiences and flashes of performance, the next generation of Formula 1 is well underway. And there is no doubt that by the end of the season, these rookies will have many more stories to write.