In 2025, five exciting rookies will join the Formula 1 grid, and among them will be the opportunity to share the track with one of the sport’s most legendary figures, Lewis Hamilton, along with other top-tier talents.
This season marks a significant shift from 2024, which notably began without any rookies on the grid – the first time this had ever happened in Formula 1 history. For 2025, however, a fresh wave of talent is set to take over a quarter of the grid. These new drivers come with aspirations to leave their mark on the sport’s highest level. Four of them are stepping up from Formula 2, with F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto making his move to Sauber and runner-up Isack Hadjar joining Racing Bulls.
Kimi Antonelli will take Lewis Hamilton’s place at Mercedes, while his PREMA teammate Oliver Bearman will join Haas. Although Bearman made his F1 debut in 2024 with three race starts, he is still regarded as a rookie for 2025. Despite this, Oliver Bearman feels that the decision to classify him as a rookie is “harsh” due to his previous experience, making him more seasoned compared to the other newcomers like Antonelli, Hadjar, and Bortoleto, all of whom are still gaining experience.
Interestingly, each of these rookies will have an incredible benchmark to look up to in Lewis Hamilton. One of them, however, experienced a bit of starstruck nervousness when meeting the seven-time world champion for the first time.
Isack Hadjar, known for his admiration of Hamilton, was particularly excited about the opportunity to race alongside his idol. The Racing Bulls recruit had already spoken highly of Hamilton, calling him the F1 “GOAT” in 2022. Hadjar had previously shared the track with the Mercedes driver during his first FP1 appearance at the 2023 Mexican Grand Prix with AlphaTauri, where he even attempted to wave at Hamilton over the radio in a memorable moment.
In pre-season testing in Bahrain, the 20-year-old Hadjar was seen shaking hands with Hamilton at a photoshoot. According to his F2 teammate Gabriel Bortoleto, Isack Hadjar was visibly “sweating” when meeting Hamilton, highlighting how starstruck he felt in the presence of one of the sport’s greatest icons.
As the 2025 Formula 1 season begins, these young drivers are set to make their mark, with the opportunity to learn from the best in the business, including Lewis Hamilton, who will undoubtedly set a high standard for them to follow.
When asked which driver the rookies admired, Oliver Bearman pointed to Isack Hadjar and mentioned that he was a big fan of Lewis Hamilton.
Isack Hadjar responded by confirming he was indeed a “big Lewis fan.” Oliver Bearman then added that he was aware of Hadjar’s admiration for Hamilton, recalling their FP1 session together in Mexico, where Hadjar had said he planned to wave at Hamilton as they drove.
Gabriel Bortoleto shared an amusing story about Hadjar’s interaction with Hamilton during a photoshoot in Bahrain. He mentioned that Isack Hadjar was visibly nervous, sweating when he saw Hamilton, and that when he shook his hand, he was still sweating.
When asked whether Hamilton was aware of how big a fan Hadjar was, the Racing Bulls driver stated that he didn’t think Hamilton knew.
How Will Isack Hadjar Perform at Racing Bulls in 2025?
Isack Hadjar’s future at Racing Bulls hinges on his performance in the 2025 season, as he is currently only contracted for that year. Given Red Bull’s notoriously competitive and demanding approach to their young drivers, the 20-year-old will need to deliver strong results to retain his seat.
One of the key factors for Hadjar’s success will be his ability to measure up against his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda. Tsunoda, who enters his fifth season with the Faenza-based team, will serve as an important benchmark. The Japanese driver, having been overlooked for the second Red Bull seat in favor of Liam Lawson, will provide a valuable comparison for Hadjar, who will be looking to prove himself.
Hadjar has demonstrated impressive pace in Formula 2 and in pre-season testing, but he has also gained a reputation for having a fiery temper over the radio, which has led to concerns. Formula 1 commentator Martin Brundle has advised Hadjar to keep his emotions in check and stay focused in 2025, warning him not to let frustration get the better of him.
Opinions on Hadjar’s prospects for 2025 vary among industry insiders. Ralf Schumacher has suggested that Hadjar could outperform Tsunoda, potentially leading to the Japanese driver’s retirement, especially since Tsunoda is also out of contract at the end of the year. On the other hand, Ted Kravitz has expressed skepticism about Red Bull’s claim that Hadjar is already on par with, or even quicker than, Tsunoda. Kravitz has pointed out that he has not seen enough from the French driver in testing to support such bold statements about his speed.
Hadjar’s ability to meet the high expectations of Red Bull, perform under pressure, and showcase consistency throughout the season will be critical in determining whether he secures a longer-term future with the team. As he embarks on this pivotal year, all eyes will be on his performance and how he adapts to the challenges ahead.
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