F1 Rookie Drivers Who to Watch This Season 2025

This year’s Formula 1 season is introducing a fresh wave of F1 2025 Rookie Drivers, each aiming to make their mark on the grid. Coming from diverse racing backgrounds, these newcomers share a common goal, proving they belong in the world’s most competitive motorsport. Here’s a look at the rising talents set to make an impact this season.

List of F1 2025 Rookie Drivers to Watch This season

1. Andrea Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes

F1 Rookie Drivers Who to Watch This Season 2025 — Photo via RacingNews365

At just 18 years old, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is stepping into one of the most high-pressure seats in F1, replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. The Italian driver has been a part of the Mercedes Junior Team since 2019 and has dominated junior categories. The team sees him as a long-term investment, and how he handles the pressure of competing at the front will be one of the season’s biggest storylines.

What to watch: How Antonelli adapts to the demands of Formula 1, especially against experienced teammate George Russell.
Why to watch: Mercedes is betting on the future with Antonelli. Watching him develop could offer a glimpse of the team’s next era.

2. Liam Lawson – Red Bull Racing

Liam Lawson, 22, finally gets his full-time shot at Red Bull after impressing as a reserve driver. The New Zealander has a reputation for aggressive, confident driving, which makes him a good fit for Red Bull’s high-performance culture. He already has F1 experience from filling in at AlphaTauri last season, so he’s not a complete newcomer.

What to watch: How he stacks up against Max Verstappen, one of the toughest benchmarks in the sport.
Why to watch: Lawson’s fearless driving style could shake up the top teams and add another layer of competition.

3. Oliver Bearman – Haas

British driver Oliver Bearman, 19, joins Haas after proving himself in Formula 2. He’s known for his ability to stay consistent under pressure and deliver solid results even when the car isn’t the fastest. Haas is looking to climb up the midfield standings, and Bearman’s performance will be crucial in determining how competitive they can be.

What to watch: His growth throughout the season and whether he can outperform his more experienced teammate.
Why to watch: Watching a young driver help build up a smaller team can be just as exciting as a title fight.

4. Gabriel Bortoleto – Sauber

Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto, 20, is making his way to F1 after winning the Formula 3 championship. His rapid rise through the junior categories has caught attention, and he’ll now take on his biggest challenge yet with Sauber. Adding an interesting twist—his mentor and agent is none other than Fernando Alonso, who he’ll now be racing against.

What to watch: How Bortoleto performs against his teammate and how his relationship with Alonso plays out on track.
Why to watch: He’s bringing fresh energy to Sauber, and his progress will show if the team can move up the grid.

5. Jack Doohan – Alpine

Jack Doohan, son of motorcycle racing legend Mick Doohan, is making the jump to a full-time seat at Alpine. The 21-year-old has spent time as a reserve driver and has shown solid performances in F2. Now, he has the opportunity to prove himself at a team that’s looking to regain competitiveness.

What to watch: His adjustment to the demands of F1 and how well he fits into Alpine’s long-term plans.
Why to watch: Doohan’s racing pedigree and smooth driving style make him a driver to keep an eye on.

6. Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls

French-Algerian driver Isack Hadjar, 20, joins Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri). He’s built a reputation for being fast and technical, showing a strong understanding of race strategy at a young age. His seat at Racing Bulls means he’ll have the backing of Red Bull’s development pipeline, which has produced some of the best talents in recent years.

What to watch: How he handles his first season and whether he can position himself for a future Red Bull Racing seat.
Why to watch: Hadjar has the skills to be a future contender, watching his first season unfold will be worth it.

This year’s F1 season is set to shake up the competition, with F1 2025 Rookie Drivers bringing new rivalries and unpredictability to the grid. Some will adapt quickly, while others will face a steep learning curve—but that’s what makes their journeys compelling. From Antonelli stepping into a top seat at Mercedes to Lawson challenging Verstappen and Bortoleto racing alongside his mentor, these newcomers are set to make this season one to watch. For a full breakdown of every driver on the grid, check out our blog post on F1 2025 Driver Line-Ups and Team Roster Updates, where we cover the confirmed seats, team changes, and what to expect from the season ahead.

More…

F1 2025 Rookie Drivers Who to Watch This Season