The 2025 Formula 1 season has not only delivered epic battles at the front of the grid—it’s also provided one of the most competitive and closely watched rookie classes in recent memory. Six drivers entered the season with the “rookie” tag, and with more than half the races now complete, it’s time to assess how each one is faring in the spotlight.
From podiums to point droughts, here’s a breakdown of how each of this season’s newcomers is performing:
Andrea Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes
Points: 63 | Championship Position: 7th
No rookie has captured global attention this season quite like Andrea Kimi Antonelli. At just 18 years old, the Italian prodigy has not only kept up with the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc but already stood on the podium in Canada, becoming the third-youngest to do so in F1 history. Driving for Mercedes alongside George Russell, Antonelli has shown exceptional maturity, especially in wheel-to-wheel combat and changeable weather conditions.
His qualifying pace is improving steadily, and he’s already considered the most impressive rookie since Lewis Hamilton’s debut in 2007. Mercedes bet big on Antonelli—and so far, that bet is paying off.
Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls
Points: 21 | Championship Position: 10th
Isack Hadjar has been the surprise package of the rookie field. Initially flying under the radar, the Frenchman has impressed with consistent point-scoring finishes in a Racing Bulls car that hasn’t always been easy to handle. His standout moments include a gritty P7 in Miami and a bold double overtake in Barcelona that had commentators and fans alike raving.
He currently leads the intra-team battle with Liam Lawson and sits 10th in the standings—ahead of drivers like Stroll, Gasly, and Tsunoda. Hadjar’s confidence and race craft continue to grow each weekend, and his stock is rising fast in the Red Bull system.
Oliver Bearman – Haas
Points: 6 | Championship Position: 17th
Haas rookie Oliver Bearman has had a solid, if unspectacular, debut season. He scored his first points in Bahrain with a clean drive to P10 and has since followed it up with a couple of Q2 appearances. Despite the Haas car being a midfield battler at best, Bearman has extracted solid results while making very few rookie errors.
Team boss Ayao Komatsu has praised his maturity and technical feedback, calling him “a key part of Haas’s future.” Bearman currently sits 17th in the standings with 6 points—an encouraging return in what is widely considered a development year.
Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls
Points: 4 | Championship Position: 18th
After impressing in his brief 2023 cameo, Liam Lawson entered 2025 with big expectations. However, things haven’t gone quite to plan. While he has avoided major blunders, his pace has lagged behind teammate Hadjar, and his strategic execution in races has left room for improvement.
Lawson’s best result so far has been a P9 finish in Imola, but he needs a string of consistent results to reassert himself in the Red Bull hierarchy. Currently sitting 18th in the championship with just 4 points, he’ll need a stronger second half of the season to protect his seat for 2026.
Gabriel Bortoleto – Kick Sauber
Points: 0 | Championship Position: 19th
2022 F3 champion Gabriel Bortoleto has had one of the tougher rookie seasons, through no fault of his own. The Kick Sauber package has struggled across the board, with poor race pace, reliability issues, and slow pit stops. Despite this, Bortoleto has outqualified teammate Nico Hülkenberg on occasion and nearly scored points in Jeddah, only to be denied by a late Virtual Safety Car.
Still, sitting 19th in the championship with zero points reflects the uphill battle he’s facing. Sauber have promised mid-season upgrades, and if the car improves, Bortoleto may finally get his shot to shine.
Franco Colapinto – Alpine
Points: 0 | Championship Position: 20th
Franco Colapinto became the sixth rookie on the grid mid-season after replacing Jack Doohan at Alpine. The Argentine was brought in during a dramatic Alpine reshuffle that saw Flavio Briatore return as team advisor. Colapinto’s F1 debut came at Imola, and he’s now contested multiple races with improving pace and promising racecraft.
He has yet to score points, largely due to Alpine’s ongoing performance issues, but has matched teammate Pierre Gasly in qualifying at several rounds. Currently 20th with zero points, Colapinto is being evaluated for a 2026 full-time seat, with the next few races seen as his audition period.
Rookie Standings — As of June 23, 2025
| Rank | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 63 |
| 2 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 21 |
| 3 | Oliver Bearman | Haas Ferrari | 6 |
| 4 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 4 |
| 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 0 |
| 6 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine Renault | 0 |
Mid-Season Analysis
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Antonelli is easily the rookie of the year so far—already outperforming established veterans and delivering results at both traditional and sprint weekends.
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Hadjar has exceeded expectations and may soon become a candidate for Red Bull’s senior team if he maintains form.
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Bearman and Lawson are in a quiet battle to solidify their roles, while Bortoleto and Colapinto face car limitations more than talent concerns.
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Colapinto remains a wildcard. If Alpine improves and he grabs a point or two, he could lock in a 2026 deal.
What’s Next?
With the calendar heading to Austria, Silverstone, and Spa, the pressure is on all six rookies to either maintain their momentum or turn their seasons around. Expect Antonelli to continue fighting for top-six finishes, while Hadjar and Bearman aim to capitalize on any chaos in the midfield. For Bortoleto and Colapinto, even a single point could define their year.
One thing is clear—this rookie class is one of the most intriguing and promising in recent F1 history. Don’t look away. The next superstar could already be on the grid.
