With Bortoleto, F1 launches documentary on the journey of the 2025 rookies on F1TV

A new generation has arrived.

Watch the new documentary, Rookies, available globally on F1TV Access and F1TV Pro 📺#F1 pic.twitter.com/0kcFpKRJIa

— Formula 1 (@F1) February 6, 2025

Gabriel Bortoleto’s path to Formula 1

Gabriel Bortoleto began his racing career in karting and quickly became a standout in the national scene. As a teenager, he moved to Europe to compete against the best young drivers of his generation, advancing through series such as Formula 4, Formula 3, and most recently, Formula 2, where he won the 2024 title. His impressive performances secured him a seat at Sauber for the 2025 season, where he will team up with Nico Hülkenberg.

Sauber, which is preparing to officially become the Audi F1 Team in 2026, is investing in new talent to strengthen its squad for the coming years. Bortoleto’s signing is part of this renewal strategy. The Brazilian driver chose number 5 for his car, paying tribute to four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, and aims to establish himself quickly in the category.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli: Mercedes’ young Italian prospect

At just 18 years old, Andrea Kimi Antonelli joins Formula 1 as one of Mercedes’ boldest bets. The Italian talent has been nurtured by the German team’s development program and was chosen to replace Lewis Hamilton, who left Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season. Antonelli made the rare leap straight to F1 without competing in Formula 2, demonstrating the team’s confidence in his abilities.

His meteoric rise has attracted media and fan attention, and he will face the challenge of competing alongside George Russell in one of the most competitive teams on the grid. His performance will be closely watched in 2025 as he carries the pressure of filling Hamilton’s seat.

Oliver Bearman: The British talent stepping up with Haas

Nineteen-year-old Briton Oliver Bearman secured his place as a full-time Haas driver after an impressive stint in Formula 2. His big break came in 2024 when he substituted for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, delivering a strong performance that reinforced his potential.

Haas, looking to restructure, sees Bearman as a key asset for the future. The young driver must quickly adapt to the category and show consistency to secure his position on the grid.

Jack Doohan: The Australian making his F1 debut with Alpine

Jack Doohan, son of five-time MotoGP champion Mick Doohan, has finally earned his place as a full-time Alpine driver after years as the team’s reserve. The 21-year-old Australian has built a solid career in junior categories, proving himself ready for the next step.

Alpine is facing challenges in regaining competitiveness and hopes Doohan will bring fresh energy to the team. His performance throughout the season will be crucial for both his career and Alpine’s future prospects.

Isack Hadjar: The French hopeful at Racing Bulls

Isack Hadjar, 20, completes the list of rookies for the 2025 season. The Frenchman takes one of the seats at Racing Bulls and is another promising name from Red Bull’s development program. Hadjar has impressed with his aggressive racecraft and adaptability to different track conditions.

His goal for the season will be to prove himself and secure his place in F1, possibly opening doors for a future promotion to Red Bull’s main team. Red Bull has a history of advancing its junior drivers, and Hadjar will aim to follow in the footsteps of past graduates.

The importance of Formula 2 and Formula 3 in talent development

Formula 1’s junior categories play a crucial role in shaping future drivers. Formula 3 and Formula 2 serve as proving grounds, where young talents gain experience in high-performance cars and face technical challenges similar to those in F1.

In recent years, most of F1’s newest drivers have come directly from F2, reinforcing the championship’s significance in developing top-tier talent. Drivers such as Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Lando Norris all progressed through F2 before establishing themselves in F1. Now, the new generation aims to follow the same path.

Challenges faced by rookies in Formula 1

Transitioning to Formula 1 presents technical, strategic, and psychological challenges. Some of the main obstacles that rookies encounter include:

• Car adaptation: F1 cars are significantly faster and more complex than F2 cars, requiring an intense technical learning curve.
• Pressure and expectations: Young drivers must handle immense expectations from fans, media, and their teams.
• Tire management and race strategy: Unlike in F2, where all teams use identical cars, F1 teams develop their own unique machinery, making adaptation more difficult.
• Performance under high-stakes conditions: Rookies must prove themselves quickly, as mistakes can jeopardize their chances of staying in F1.

The 2025 season and expectations for the rookies

Having five new drivers join the Formula 1 grid is a rare event, highlighting the sport’s ongoing renewal. Gabriel Bortoleto’s debut holds special significance for Brazilian fans, who are eager to see their country represented in F1 again.

The progress of Antonelli at Mercedes, Bearman’s adaptation at Haas, Doohan’s performance at Alpine, and Hadjar’s aggressive racing style at Racing Bulls will be among the season’s key talking points. These drivers carry the responsibility of representing the next generation of F1 and must prove they deserve a place in the sport’s elite ranks.

Formula 1 continues its cycle of renewal, and the 2025 rookies have the opportunity to showcase their talent and establish themselves at the highest level of motorsport.