So many new faces in 2025
While 2024 was a year of continuity, with the grid initially unchanged from the previous season, 2025 will bring a revolution: two drivers will make their absolute debut (Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Gabriel Bortoleto), three others will start their first full season as regulars (Jack Doohan, Oliver Bearman, and, barring surprises, Liam Lawson), and there could even be a seat for Isack Hadjar if Sergio Perez is dropped by Red Bull. In total, there’s potential to see as many as six new (or nearly new) faces among the 20 drivers.
Who among these youngsters can perform best? Antonelli undoubtedly has the strongest credentials, driving for Mercedes. However, this also means he’ll face much more pressure, as the Bologna-born driver already experienced firsthand during FP1 at Monza, where he crashed at the Alboreto corner. Given his track record and the lack of spotlight on him, Bortoleto might be the one to surprise. He’ll also have the advantage of learning every trick from the experienced Nico Hülkenberg at Kick Sauber.
Fernando Alonso’s words
Fernando Alonso, who will be racing against a “protégé” (the Brazilian’s career is managed by A14 Management), believes that Gabriel Bortoleto is the best among the 2025 rookies: “In his debut season in F3, he became champion, and the same happened in F2. I know there’s a lot of talk about the younger generation: they’re all very talented, but the best is Gabriel. He has proven it on track with equal machinery,” the Spaniard said in Abu Dhabi.
Driving for the team that finished last in the Constructors’ Championship will have an impact (even though Kick Sauber showed promising improvements at the end of 2024). Fernando Alonso, however, urges people not to be misled by on-track results: “Of course, next year he won’t have the same car as some of the other rookies, but I hope people don’t forget that he’s better than them. He has been, and he will be.”
Leave a Reply