2025 Formula 1 Rookies of the Year: Isack Hadjar & Kimi Antonelli

Several Formula 1 newcomers impressed in different ways, from steady development to eye-catching overachievement, making a single, clear winner difficult to define. The conversation ultimately centred on two drivers who thrived under extreme pressure. Isack Hadjar and Kimi Antonelli.

One rebounded from an error-strewn debut to deliver consistent qualifying performances and earn a promotion to the sport’s sharpest environment. The other overcame early inconsistency to reveal rare composure and maturity, thriving when the stakes were highest.

What united them was not just raw speed, but temperament. Both were placed in demanding situations that could easily have derailed a rookie season, yet each adapted, learned, and improved visibly as the year progressed. In the end, the editors reached a rare consensus: 2025 did not produce one standout rookie, but two.

Jad Mallak: "This one was tough. We had several rookies. Bortoleto started slowly but improved. Bearman was impressive, putting the Haas in places it didn’t belong.

"Hadjar had a disastrous start, crashing on the out-lap in Melbourne, but regrouped and delivered consistent top ten qualifying results, earning the promotion to Red Bull as Max’s teammate.

"Antonelli surprised us. We didn’t think he was ready. Early inconsistency proved that, but later flashes of brilliance showed why Mercedes backed him. Bono as race engineer, strong support, and careful development helped.

"For me, Rookie of the Year is a joint award: Hadjar and Antonelli."

Paul Velasco: "I agree. I was wrong about Antonelli. His temperament under pressure is exceptional. I didn’t even see that in Max early on. Hadjar was fantastic too. His temperament can be rash, but that’s youth. I agree. You can’t split them. I would like to see a long future for these two youngsters, as they are two refreshing characters in our sport.

JM: "Exactly. And both were thrown into pressure cookers and managed to survive."