Formula 1’s 75th World Championship season has delivered one of the most compelling crops of rookies in recent memory. As of the Hungarian Grand Prix on 3 August 2025, 14 rounds have been completed and the championship battle at the top is tight: Oscar Piastri leads the drivers’ standings with 284 points, his McLaren team‑mate Lando Norris is just nine points behind, and Max Verstappen heads a chasing pack on 187 points. In the constructors’ fight, McLaren have streaked clear with 559 points, more than double Ferrari’s tally, while Mercedes, Red Bull and Williams complete a surprisingly shuffled pecking order.
Beyond the title race, the 2025 season is notable for the influx of new talent. Six drivers – Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Jack Doohan, Oliver Bearman, Isack Hadjar, Gabriel Bortoleto and Liam Lawson – entered the year as full‑season rookies. Franco Colapinto joined the roster mid‑season after Alpine replaced Doohan. The class of ’25 spans multiple teams, from championship‑contending Mercedes to midfielders Kick Sauber and Racing Bulls. This article reviews how each rookie has performed so far, contextualises their achievements within the F1 points system, and looks ahead to the rest of the season.
How the Formula 1 points system works in 2025
Understanding rookie progress requires a grasp of how points are awarded in modern Formula 1. The 2025 F1 points system remains largely unchanged from recent seasons, with the exception of a key tweak: the extra point for fastest lap has been abolished. Points are awarded to the top ten finishers in every Grand Prix according to the familiar 25‑18‑15‑12‑10‑8‑6‑4‑2‑1 scale. For races affected by red flags or adverse weather, a graduated points column system allocates reduced points depending on how much of the race distance is completed. This ensures fairness when events are shortened and helps fans interpret fluctuating standings; for a detailed explanation, check out our guide to standings in shortened races.
Sprint points and weekend format
Six weekends on the 24‑race calendar feature a Sprint race. The Sprint is a 100 km dash with no mandatory pit stop that takes place on Saturday and awards points to the top eight finishers (8‑7‑6‑5‑4‑3‑2‑1). Sprint qualifying on Friday sets the Sprint grid, while traditional qualifying later on Saturday decides the main Grand Prix order. For a deeper dive into the format and strategy implications, see our explainer on Sprint race points.
The removal of the fastest‑lap point encourages teams to focus on overall race pace rather than late‑race pit‑stop gambles. However, consistency remains paramount; a driver can accrue a maximum of 648 points over the season if they win every race and Sprint. For teams, both drivers’ scores are added to determine the constructors’ championship, meaning rookie contributions can significantly influence their squad’s position. More detail on how teams accrue points can be found in our constructors points system explainer.
The 2025 rookie class at a glance
The table below summarises the rookie class after 14 rounds. It highlights their championship position, points scored, best result and number of top‑10 finishes (Grand Prix only).
| Rookie driver | Team | Championship position | Points | Best finish | Podiums | Top‑10 finishes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 7th | 64 | 3rd (Canada) | 1 | 7 |
| Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 13th | 22 | 6th (Monaco) | 0 | 5 |
| Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 15th | 20 | 6th (Austria) | 0 | 4 |
| Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber | 17th | 14 | 6th (Hungary) | 0 | 3 |
| Oliver Bearman | Haas | 19th | 8 | 8th (multiple) | 0 | 3 |
| Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 20th | 0 | 13th | 0 | 0 |
| Jack Doohan | Alpine | 21st | 0 | 13th | 0 | 0 |
Statistics are drawn from F1’s official driver pages and standings. The table shows that Antonelli is comfortably the highest‑scoring rookie, but Hadjar and Lawson have impressed with strong points finishes despite racing for a midfield team. Bortoleto, Bearman and the Alpine drivers have fewer points but have shown flashes of pace that merit deeper analysis.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes’ future star
Points, pace and progress
Mercedes signed 18‑year‑old Andrea Kimi Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement and he sits seventh in the drivers’ standings with 64 points. He has recorded seven top‑10 finishes and his maiden Formula 1 podium came at the Canadian Grand Prix, where he finished third. Antonelli’s pace was evident early; he became the youngest pole‑sitter in F1 history by taking pole for the Sprint in Miami at just 18 years and 251 days. Out‑qualifying team‑mate George Russell in both the Sprint and Grand Prix that weekend signalled his raw one‑lap speed.
Strengths and areas to improve
Antonelli has adapted quickly to circuits he had never raced on before, particularly in North America and the Middle East. His qualifying head‑to‑head with Russell is closer than the points tally suggests, and he leads his illustrious team‑mate in Sprint statistics with a pole and four Sprint points. However, F1 commentators note that his confidence has ebbed at times; a rear‑suspension upgrade misstep in Imola unsettled the car and several incidents have dented his rhythm. The challenge for the Italian teenager is to rediscover his natural aggressiveness without overstepping the limit. If he can harness his speed consistently, Antonelli could climb higher in the standings and play a pivotal role in Mercedes’ fight with Ferrari and Red Bull.
Impact on Mercedes’ season
Mercedes entered 2025 expecting a transitional year after Hamilton’s departure. Russell’s 172 points place him fourth, while Antonelli’s 64 points make Mercedes third in the constructors’ championship on 236 points. Antonelli’s podium and regular top‑10 finishes have given the team breathing room over Red Bull, who rely heavily on Verstappen. If the rookie continues to mature, Mercedes could still challenge Ferrari for second in the constructors’ table.
Isack Hadjar – top rookie so far
A consistent point‑scorer
Visa Cash App Racing Bulls signed Isack Hadjar after Red Bull’s winter reshuffle. The 20‑year‑old French‑Algerian sits 13th in the drivers’ standings with 22 points and five top‑10 finishes. According to F1’s mid‑season rookie ratings, Hadjar’s best weekend came in Monaco, where he combined speed, precision and tyre management to finish sixth. This run of form followed an early setback: he spun on the formation lap in Australia, which fuelled questions about his composure. Instead of crumbling, Hadjar responded with a streak of points finishes across the next five Grand Prix.
What makes Hadjar stand out?
Hadjar’s hallmark is his adaptability. He has been quick to learn new circuits and his race pace often eclipses his qualifying positions. Within Racing Bulls, he has out‑performed Liam Lawson; their head‑to‑head in qualifying stands at 9‑3 in Hadjar’s favour. He has also made good use of Sprint weekends, scoring a point in a Saturday race and consistently placing himself in the top eight when it counts.
To maintain his momentum, Hadjar needs to avoid the traditional second‑half slump that has afflicted Racing Bulls in past seasons. If he can, he may finish the season as the top rookie and potentially break into the top 10 overall, a remarkable feat for a driver in a midfield car.
Liam Lawson – resilience after a roller‑coaster start
From Red Bull seat to Racing Bulls
New Zealander **Liam Lawson entered the season as Red Bull’s second driver but was demoted to the sister team after only two races. He has since rebuilt his campaign at Racing Bulls and currently has 20 points, sitting 15th. His best result, sixth place, came at the Austrian Grand Prix, where he delivered a composed drive to claim eight points.
Qualifying struggles and race craft
Lawson’s story is one of recovery. Demotion was a blow to his confidence but also relieved him of the pressure of being Verstappen’s team‑mate. On race day, he is often as quick as Hadjar and has four top‑10 finishes. However, the qualifying deficit is stark; he trails Hadjar 9‑3 and frequently starts deep in the midfield. Improving one‑lap pace is crucial if he is to consistently score points.
Lawson’s resilience is an asset; he has acknowledged his weaknesses and is working with engineers to better extract performance. If he can narrow the qualifying gap, the battle between Racing Bulls drivers will intensify and the team could climb from eighth in the constructors’ standings.
Gabriel Bortoleto – Kick Sauber’s quietly impressive rookie
Qualifying specialist turned points scorer
Reigning F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto stepped up to F1 with Kick Sauber and has 14 points, placing him 17th overall. His breakthrough weekend came at the Hungarian Grand Prix: he made a career‑best Qualifying appearance in Q3, then drove strongly to finish sixth. This performance built on earlier points finishes in Austria and Canada.
Bortoleto’s standout trait is his qualifying speed. He leads his experienced team‑mate Nico Hülkenberg 8‑6 in head‑to‑head qualifying sessions, a surprise given Hülkenberg’s reputation. His ability to convert qualifying positions into points is improving, though he still needs to repeat his Q3 form consistently. Three DNFs highlight the fragility of the Sauber package, but when the car runs reliably Bortoleto has shown he can bring home top‑10 finishes.
Building on momentum
Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber are sixth in the constructors’ standings on 51 points. Bortoleto’s 14 points may seem modest, but they are crucial in a tight midfield battle. Replicating his Hungarian heroics in upcoming races could propel Sauber past Aston Martin and even threaten Williams. Fans should watch how he handles circuits like Monza and Singapore, which test both straight‑line speed and tyre management.
Oliver Bearman – flashes of pace in a challenging Haas
A steep learning curve
At 19, Oliver Bearman is one of the youngest drivers on the grid. Racing for Haas alongside Grand Prix winner Esteban Ocon, he has amassed eight points and sits 19th. Bearman’s best result is eighth; he has three top‑10 finishes and has scored two points in Sprint races.
His standout performances include thrilling overtakes through the field in Shanghai and an eye‑catching run to Q3 on his first visit to Suzuka, where he qualified eight positions ahead of Ocon. His qualifying head‑to‑head with Ocon stands at a respectable 7‑7, demonstrating that his one‑lap pace matches an established driver.
Areas for improvement
Bearman’s challenge has been translating speed into results. Penalties and small mistakes have blunted his scoring potential; a red‑flag infringement at Silverstone cost him a chance of a top‑eight start on a day when podium opportunities existed. Haas also struggles with race‑day tyre wear, making it hard for Bearman to convert good qualifying positions into points. Cutting out errors and improving tyre management will be key if he is to push Haas from ninth toward the midfield pack.
Alpine’s revolving door – Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto
Doohan’s brief tenure
Alpine promoted Australian Jack Doohan to a full‑time seat but replaced him after six races due to a string of accidents and failure to score. His best finish was 13th and he recorded two DNFs. Although he occasionally out‑paced Pierre Gasly in qualifying, Doohan’s inconsistency and expensive crashes in Melbourne and Suzuka forced team boss Flavio Briatore to act.
Colapinto’s tough introduction
Argentina’s Franco Colapinto stepped into the Alpine mid‑season. After eight races he is yet to score a point, with a best finish of 13th and no top‑10s. Lack of pre‑season testing and a new race engineer have hampered his adaptation. Despite this, Colapinto has matched Gasly in qualifying at times and is showing glimpses of speed reminiscent of his impressive cameo for Williams in 2024. A full winter with the team may be needed before he can deliver consistent points.
Alpine’s predicament
Alpine are last in the constructors’ standings with 20 points. The revolving driver line‑up has clearly hurt development; Gasly carries the scoring load while Doohan and Colapinto have contributed none. For a team once fighting at the front, the 2025 season underlines the importance of stability and effective driver management.
Comparing rookies to their team‑mates
Analysing rookies in isolation can be misleading, so it’s instructive to compare their results to those of their more experienced team‑mates:
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Antonelli vs Russell (Mercedes): Russell has 172 points and two wins; Antonelli’s 64 points underscore the gulf between a seasoned race winner and a rookie, but the Italian’s podium shows he can run at the front. Mercedes need both cars to score consistently if they are to challenge Ferrari.
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Hadjar & Lawson vs Tsunoda (Racing Bulls): Yuki Tsunoda, who returned to Racing Bulls after two races with Red Bull, has 10 points. Hadjar and Lawson therefore comfortably lead the team’s intra‑squad battle. Their combined 42 points make Racing Bulls a solid eighth in the constructors’ race.
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Bortoleto vs Hulkenberg (Sauber): Nico Hülkenberg sits ninth in the drivers’ standings with 37 points. Bortoleto’s 14 points reflect the difference between an experienced hand and a rookie, but his qualifying advantage signals long‑term promise.
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Bearman vs Ocon (Haas): Ocon has 27 points and leads Bearman 27–8, but Bearman is already matching Ocon’s qualifying record and has shown strong race craft.
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Colapinto & Doohan vs Gasly (Alpine): Gasly has 20 points, while the rookies have none. The disparity illustrates Alpine’s driver instability and the cost of not allowing youngsters time to develop.
How rookies influence the 2025 championship narrative
Rookies may not be fighting for the world title yet, but they add layers to the 2025 story. Antonelli’s podium and Sprint pole make him a future star; his presence ensures Mercedes remain competitive despite losing Hamilton. Hadjar and Lawson’s points hauls have kept Racing Bulls ahead of Haas and Alpine; without them the team could be last in the constructors’. Bortoleto’s steady scoring bolsters Kick Sauber in a tight midfield battle. Even Bearman, with only eight points, has shown the potential to deliver on days when Haas nail their strategy.
These performances also affect how established drivers approach their weekends. Russell and Hülkenberg must guard against mistakes because their rookies can out‑qualify them. Ferraris and McLarens cannot take Sprint poles or podiums for granted because Antonelli has demonstrated he can disrupt the usual order. Meanwhile, team bosses have learned that rookies need support; Alpine’s revolving door has illustrated the downside of impatience.
Predictions for the rest of the season
With ten Grand Prix and several Sprint events remaining, there is plenty of time for the rookie standings to shift. Antonelli looks likely to finish as the highest‑placed rookie and could break into the top five if he repeats his Canadian form and continues to collect consistent points. Hadjar and Lawson will probably remain neck‑and‑neck; the Frenchman’s current edge makes him favourite to end the year as the second‑best rookie. Bortoleto could leapfrog Williams’ Carlos Sainz (16 points) with a couple more top‑six results, while Bearman will hope Haas developments help him score regularly. Colapinto’s goal is to score his first points and build momentum for 2026.
In the wider championship, Piastri and Norris are poised for a McLaren intra‑team duel, while Ferrari and Mercedes scrap over second. Red Bull’s hopes rest squarely on Verstappen, who is third with 187 points. McLaren’s dominance means rookie performances may not decide the titles, but they will shape the midfield and define the narrative of a season marked by fresh faces.
FAQ: 2025 F1 rookies and points
How does the F1 points system work in 2025?
Drivers score points by finishing in the top 10 of a Grand Prix (25–18–15–12–10–8–6–4–2–1). Points are also awarded to the top eight finishers in a Sprint (8–7–6–5–4–3–2–1). The bonus point for fastest lap has been removed for 2025. If a race is shortened, reduced points columns apply. More on this is covered in our formula 1 points system explainer.
Which rookie is performing best in 2025?
Based on points and consistency, Isack Hadjar is widely regarded as the top rookie. He has 22 points, five top‑10 finishes and a sixth‑place best result. His team‑mate Liam Lawson trails by two points and has fewer points finishes. Kimi Antonelli has more points overall (64) and a podium, but he is driving a race‑winning Mercedes and therefore judged by higher standards.
What is a Sprint weekend, and how does it affect rookies?
A Sprint weekend includes a 100 km race on Saturday that awards points and sets the grid for the Grand Prix. Qualifying for the Sprint happens on Friday, while traditional qualifying on Saturday afternoon sets the main race order. This format compresses practice time and rewards drivers who can adapt quickly – a trait rookies such as Antonelli and Hadjar have demonstrated. Full details can be found in our F1 sprint format 2025 guide.
How are ties resolved in the F1 championship?
If two drivers finish the season with the same number of points, the tie‑breaker is the countback of best results. The driver with the most wins is classified ahead; if wins are equal, second places are compared, and so on. Tie‑break rules apply to both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships. For an in‑depth look at tie‑breakers, see our article on how tie‑breakers decide the F1 champion.
Who could be a future world champion among the 2025 rookies?
It is too early to crown a future champion, but Kimi Antonelli has shown the combination of speed, maturity and team support needed to compete for titles. He is already a podium finisher in his first season and is part of a Mercedes programme with a history of nurturing champions. Hadjar’s race craft and resilience suggest he could become Red Bull’s next long‑term star, while Bortoleto’s qualifying speed hints at significant potential. The rest of 2025 will offer more clues as to who might rise to the very top.
Whether you’re following the rookies’ rookie journey or the battle for the championship, RaceMate’s companion app keeps you up to speed with real‑time standings, strategy insights and contextual explanations. Download it today to enhance your viewing experience and stay ahead of the competition.