F1 | Rookies reveal Max Verstappen’s curious nickname in the paddock. The 2025 F1 rookies reflect on their debut season,.

The young drivers who debuted in Formula 1 in 2025 have reflected on their first season, emphasizing the important role played by Max Verstappen.

In the 2025 F1 season, four young drivers made their debut in the pinnacle of motorsport: Oliver Bearman, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Isack Hadjar. In a video recently published on the official Formula 1 channel, the four rookies shared a brief review of their first season, highlighting its highs and lows but especially the moments that were crucial for their growth. During the interview, they also pointed out the importance of certain veteran drivers, including Max Verstappen, in their first season of Formula 1. They even shared a curious anecdote about him.

The role of Verstappen

Despite his young age, Max Verstappen is considered a veteran driver in Formula 1, having made his debut at just 17 years old. Throughout the season, he has consistently shown understanding towards the rookies and has always offered words of support. This aspect of the four-time world champion was highlighted by Gabriel Bortoleto and Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the latest video released on F1’s official channels.

The Brazilian driver for Kick Sauber wanted to emphasize the role played by both Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen in 2025, admitting: Fernando Alonso and also Max Verstappen gave a lot of support behind the scenes. So yes, it was fantastic.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli fully agreed with Gabriel Bortoleto and added: Yes, I think Max [Verstappen] supported all the rookies a lot. Antonelli also revealed the nickname often used for Verstappen due to his supportive role with the younger drivers.

The Italian Mercedes driver shared: The father of the rookies. But you know, it was fantastic, also Lewis Hamilton. But everyone, to be honest, seemed to welcome having so many rookies on the grid and showed their support in their own way.

As the rookies head into their sophomore seasons in 2026, they’ll do so knowing “Daddy Verstappen” has their backs – whether they like the nickname or not.