F1 Rookies 2025: Mid-Season Check-In

We’ve officially reached the halfway point of the 2025 Formula 1 season – and it’s time to check in on this year’s rookie class. With seven new faces on the grid at some point this year, it’s been one of the most exciting rookie lineups in recent memory. 

Here’s a breakdown of how each rookie is performing, what they’ve shown so far, and what questions still remain heading into the second half of the season. 

Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

Championship position: 7th; Points finishes: 6; Podiums: 1 (P3 - Canada); DNFs: 4

At just 18 years old, Kimi Antonelli entered Formula 1 with enormous hype, including his own Netflix documentary – and so far, he’s delivering. A podium in Canada cemented his status as the standout rookie of 2025, and he’s shown flashes of brilliance even in tough conditions. While he’s had four DNFs, most due to mechanical issues or first-lap chaos, his composure, racecraft, and qualifying pace are impressive for someone with this little top-level experience. Of course, being in the second-best car on the grid gives him an edge, but he’s making the most of that advantage with consistently strong performances. 

Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)

Championship position: 11th; Points: 21; Teammate comparison: Currently outscoring Liam Lawson. 

Hadjar, arguably Racing Bull’s top performer, has shown real resilience this season. After a heartbreaking DNS in Australia – when he crashed during the formation lap in brutal wet conditions and was visibly emotional – he regrouped quickly. At Suzuka, he battled through severe seatbelt pain during qualifying, yet still advanced to Q3 and locked in P7 on the grid. Then, executing what the team called a “perfect race,” as he finished P8 and scored his debut points over 53 flawless laps. With 21 points and steady improvements race-by-race, he’s shown maturity beyond expectations. His ability to stay clean, capitalize on chaos, and take the fight to more experienced drivers has been one of the season’s quiet success stories. 

Oliver Bearman (Haas)

Championship position: 18th; Points finishes: 3; Highlight: P20 to P10 in Bahrain. 

Bearman might not be grabbing headlines, but he’s putting together a quietly strong rookie season. In Bahrain, he delivered a standout drive – recovering from P20 to P10, overtaking five on the opening lap, defending his position strongly (including holding off Mercedes’ Antonelli) for his third points finish of the season. He’s also already matched or outpaced his experienced teammate Esteban Ocon on multiple weekends. Given Haas’ midfield limitations, Bearman’s consistency is a positive sign. 

Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)

Championship position: 16th; Best result: P6; Notable storyline: Dropped by Red Bull early in the season. 

Lawson entered 2025 under big expectations, stepping in at Red Bull only to be demoted back to the sister team, Racing Bulls, after a rough first two races. Since then, he’s shown glimpses of speed and consistency. He had some solid results, including P6 in Austria,  and Monaco’s P8 points finish where he slowed rivals to shield teammate Hadjar during pit stops – executing clever team play under pressure. Lawson needs to turn these good moments into regular strong performances to show he belongs at the front. 

Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)

Championship position: 19th; Points: First scored in Austria (P8); Context: Sauber struggling overall with car pace.

Bortoleto’s rookie season is a tough one to judge. The Sauber package has been slow all year, but when opportunities arise, he’s generally made the most of them. His smart tyre management and the team’s race strategy at Austria helped him earn P8, despite car limitations. His steady improvement and clean driving have made him a reliable presence – and sometimes, just staying afloat in a backmarker car is a win. 

Jack Doohan (Alpine - Replaced After 6 Races)

Races: 6; Points: 0; Notable moments: Multiple incidents, replaced mid-season by Franco Colapinto.

It’s been a harsh reality check for Doohan. In what was supposed to be a full rookie season, he struggled with consistency and control, suffering a few costly crashes, and ultimately lost his seat before mid-season. While some argue Alpine cut the cord too early, his performance didn’t inspire much confidence in a team looking for stability. 

Franco Colapinto (Alpine - Replaced Jack Doohan)

Races: 6; Points: 0; Notable moment: Stepped into the Alpine seat at Emilia-Romagna, replacing Jack Doohan 

After racing for Williams in the final nine rounds of 2024, Colapinto returned to the grid on a five-race deal with Alpine. That contract has now passed, but he continues to race thanks to consistent performances. Despite one DNS, he regularly finished between P16 and P13, which is a respectable showing for a mid-season rookie. With teammate Pierre Gasly scoring points in only 4 of the 12 races so far, Alpine’s struggles have limited Colapinto’s chances to shine. His future for the remainder of 2025 and beyond remains uncertain.

As it stands, Antonelli remains the clear rookie standout, with Bearman and Hadjar impressing race-by-race in challenging machinery. Lawson, Bortoleto, and Colapinto still need a breakthrough moment to truly define their seasons, while Doohan’s early exit has made his rookie year one to forget — for now.