Rookie Rankings Mid-Season: Who’s Thriving and Who’s Struggling in F1 2025?

September 14, 2025 Kris Isaksen

As the 2025 Formula 1 season takes a breather for the summer break, it’s time to check in on the new talent shaking up the grid. From breakout performances to learning curves, here’s how each rookie is faring in their maiden campaign — with expert insight from F1 TV commentator and F2 aficionado Alex Jacques.

Liam Lawson – Rebuilding Momentum After Red Bull Exit

Lawson's return to Racing Bulls hasn’t been easy, but his resilience is starting to show. A standout P6 finish in Austria was a turning point after a confidence-shaking demotion from Red Bull early in the year.

Though his race pace has picked up, qualifying remains his Achilles' heel. Down 9-3 to Hadjar in head-to-heads, he needs to sharpen his one-lap performance if he wants to stay competitive in Red Bull’s notoriously unforgiving talent pool.

Isack Hadjar – Rookie of the Year (So Far)

Hadjar’s rise from a dramatic formation lap spin in Australia to a P6 finish in Monaco has been nothing short of impressive. With five points finishes already, he's showing maturity that belies his limited F1 experience.

Strong Friday practice showings suggest there's more speed in the tank, especially if he continues refining his car setup. If Racing Bulls avoids a typical late-season slump, Hadjar could finish his debut campaign as the top rookie.

Jack Doohan / Franco Colapinto – Alpine’s Confusing Rookie Rotation

Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto — Michael Potts F1 / Shutterstock.com Michael Potts F1 / Shutterstock.com

Neither Doohan nor Colapinto has had a smooth ride, with Alpine’s decision-making leaving both drivers scrambling for stability. Doohan showed flashes of potential before being replaced mid-season after just six races.

Colapinto inherited a tricky situation — no pre-season testing, a new engineer, and limited track time. With familiar tracks coming up, he still has a shot at turning things around and getting his first points on the board.

Gabriel Bortoleto – Quietly Making His Mark at Sauber

Bortoleto’s P6 finish just before the break was his strongest showing yet, proving he’s growing into his F1 role. He’s even leading the qualifying battle against seasoned team mate Nico Hulkenberg.

Converting big chances into points has been a positive, but consistency in Q3 could elevate both his and Sauber’s season. For a reigning F2 champion, he’s showing he belongs on this stage.

Oliver Bearman – Raw Speed, But Still Finding His Feet

Bearman has shown flashes of brilliance, especially in qualifying — outpacing his team mate Esteban Ocon on multiple occasions. Shanghai and Suzuka hinted at his potential, but he's yet to convert that into regular points.

Avoidable errors, like the red flag penalty at Silverstone, have cost him dearly. If he can clean up his weekends, the points — and perhaps even surprise results — could follow.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli – History-Maker in Miami, But Still Learning

Antonelli became the youngest ever F1 pole-sitter in Miami and followed it up with a maiden podium in Montreal. Those high points prove his potential is sky-high.

But confidence issues and inconsistent performances have held him back from delivering that level every weekend. Budapest marked a step forward mentally, and if he can unlock his true pace, he could be a force in the season’s second half.