F1 Rookies: How the Debutants Performed Ahead of the Summer Break
A recap of Formula 1 rookies' performances in the first half of the 2025 season.
Formula 1 is heading into its so-called 'summer break' before the second half of the 2025 season. The first 14 rounds of the 'premier' racing series are behind us, meaning drivers have already had a full opportunity to prove themselves. 2025 turned out to be rich in rookies — seven new (or not entirely new) names appeared on the starting grid at once.
The DeTalks team analyzed the performances of Formula 1's 75th season rookies.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
'The Biggest Driver Swap in F1 History.' That's how Netflix titled its documentary about Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The Italian from the Mercedes Academy had been predicted to become a future motorsport champion since his karting days. Kimi's debut wasn't just a replacement for Hamilton, but also a 'course toward the team's future.'
Over fourteen rounds, Antonelli managed to break several series records and reach the podium at the Canadian Grand Prix. Among the rookies, the Italian scored the most points before the summer break — 64. During the European leg of the season, Kimi made the points once — finishing tenth at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Antonelli has described feeling confident in the car again this weekend, saying he left Budapest feeling much more comfortable after reverting to the previous rear suspension setup, and calling yesterday's qualifying a real shame given how clearly the pace had been on their side.
He added that they can carry that feeling into the second half of the season and look ahead with optimism, shared Kimi after the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
Racing Bulls's new driver has shown himself to be an emotional but consistent pilot. The 19‑year-old Frenchman started his year with a setback — a technical issue on the formation lap in Australia. Isack couldn't hold back his emotions and cried.
At the same time, Hadjar is the only 2025 rookie who's never been knocked out in the first qualifying segment, and on the Monaco street circuit, he brought the team its best result of the year — sixth place. Overall, the Frenchman has scored 22 points and, heading into the summer break, ranks second among the rookies, behind only Antonelli.
Hadjar has said he has the car and the speed, but just needs to put it all together in the moments that matter most, adding that the last few races haven't gone their way, but that everything points to a strong second half of the year, and that he's confident about it, said Hadjar ahead of the summer break.
Isack also scored points at the rounds in Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Imola. Hadjar is praised for clean racing, minimal mistakes, and steady progress — which is exactly what earned him praise from Helmut Marko, who directly called Isack 'the most impressive rookie of the year.'
Liam Lawson (Red Bull Racing)
Technically, Lawson isn't quite a rookie, since the New Zealander had already raced in Formula 1 before, but the 2025 season was Liam's first full one. After two starts with Red Bull's main team, Lawson moved to its sister team, Racing Bulls, where he'd previously filled in for Daniel Ricciardo after last season's Singapore Grand Prix.
“I needed time, but I wasn't given it,” — said the driver after his 'demotion.'
Unlike Hadjar, the New Zealander was knocked out in the first segment six times. Heading into the summer break, Liam sits 15th in the overall standings with 20 points.
Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
The 2024 Formula 2 champion began his debut Formula 1 season with Sauber. In Australia, at his first round, he qualified ahead of teammate Nico Hülkenberg and made it into the second qualifying segment.
After 14 rounds, Gabi has 14 points and sits 17th in the drivers' standings.
“I'm happy and grateful for what I'm experiencing, and for the opportunities I have,” — shared Bortoleto.
Oliver Bearman (Haas)
In 2024, Bearman made his first Formula 1 grid appearance, filling in for Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Later that same season, the Briton started in Baku for Haas in place of Kevin Magnussen and finished tenth.
In 2025, the driver began the season as a full-time Haas racer. Over 14 rounds, he made it to the third qualifying segment twice and was knocked out in the first segment five times. His best result was seventh place in Saudi Arabia. Oliver has scored eight points and sits 19th in the standings heading into the summer break.
“I found the perfect new family at HAAS,” — said Bearman after announcing his long-term contract with the Formula 1 team.
Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto
Jack made his Formula 1 debut at the final round of the 2024 season, filling in for Esteban Ocon at Alpine and finishing 15th. In the 2025 season, his position on the team was unstable: even before the championship began, Alpine brought in Franco Colapinto from Williams on loan as a reserve driver. After six races without points and two retirements, Doohan was dropped.
Colapinto took over as the full-time driver, making his debut in Imola. The Argentine, who had previously filled in for Logan Sargeant at Williams in 2024, likewise failed to score a single point this season.
Formula 1 Rookies: Standings After the First Half of the 2025 Season
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) — 64 points
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) — 22
- Liam Lawson (Red Bull Racing) — 20
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) — 14
- Oliver Bearman (Haas) — 8
- Franco Colapinto — 0
- Jack Doohan — 0
The second half of the season opens with the Dutch Grand Prix, running August 29-31 in Zandvoort, where F1's rookies will have another chance to prove themselves.