If you’ve ever sat through a race thinking “when will the new talent finally flash?”, this season is one to keep close. The 2025 F1 grid has more new faces than in a long time, each carrying weight — young drivers stepping into big machinery, replacing legends, or getting full seats after long apprentice years.
Let’s meet the drivers you’ll want to watch.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Andrea Kimi Antonelli comes from Bologna, Italy, and he’s been building toward this moment since he was a kid. He joined Mercedes’ junior program in 2019 when he was just 13, dominated karting, and then won both German and Italian F4 in 2022. They fast-tracked him because he looked ready: skipped some expected steps, moved into Formula 2, where he finished strong and impressed enough that when Lewis Hamilton left Mercedes, Antonelli got the nod.
So far in F1, he’s shown flashes: overtakes in tricky conditions, finding pace even when qualifying or race weekends aren’t perfect. What’s interesting is that he seems calm under pressure for someone just 18. If he keeps learning fast, races might end up more exciting just watching him test the limits of the car.
Oliver Bearman
Oliver Bearman’s journey has been one of persistence. He’s British, was part of the Ferrari Driver Academy, and carved his path through F4, F3, and then F2. Before getting his full season with Haas in 2025, he had a few wildcard appearances and substitute drives, which let people see how he handles adversity.
Bearman has raw speed in qualifying, strong racecraft when things go wrong (for example, bouncing back after penalties or setbacks), and the energy that can surprise you. If he cuts out small errors, he could be a regular point scorer and occasional spoiler for more experienced drivers.
Gabriel Bortoleto
From Brazil, Gabriel Bortoleto made people notice him by winning both F3 and F2 titles in back-to-back years. That’s rare, and in 2024, he showed consistency, smart decisions, and speed that made teams want him. Sauber (soon turning into Audi) signed him for 2025, pairing him with Nico Hulkenberg.
What makes Bortoleto worth your attention is maturity: he doesn’t panic under team pressure or car problems, and his tendency to make smart overtakes gives hope he won’t just drift behind. If his car improves, he could quickly join midfield contenders instead of just learning.
Isack Hadjar
Isack Hadjar (France) stepped up through karting and junior categories, earning a reputation for being adaptable and sharp in changing track or weather conditions. He’s part of Red Bull’s development path and has had strong finishes in F2.
Hadjar has already grabbed points in tough midfield battles and shown that he doesn’t shy away when things get messy. He’s one to watch in rain-affected races or during chaotic strategy calls, where pushing for the right tyre or overtaking under tough conditions can make all the difference.
Jack Doohan
Jack Doohan, from Australia, has motorsport in his blood (his dad was a champion), but he’s worked toward his own path. He went through the junior ranks — F4, F3, F2 — and did reserve, test, and practice sessions before getting a full seat with Alpine for 2025.
He’s shown flashes: good pace in testing, handling media, and team expectations better than many newcomers. The big test for him will be consistency, holding his own in races where mistakes cost dearly. If he pulls that off, he could surprise people.
Liam Lawson
Liam Lawson from New Zealand has been waiting for this chance. He’s raced in Super Formula, F2, learning, adapting, and stepping up whenever he got the call. He takes on a tough role by joining Red Bull’s stable, meaning comparisons are going to come quickly and often.
Lawson’s strength so far is experience outside as well as inside F1 machinery — those years of adapting help when things break or when strategy goes sideways. His rookie season might be shaky, but he’s one of the ones who could grow a lot by the end of the calendar.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 season promises unpredictable moments with Antonelli, Bearman, Bortoleto, Hadjar, Doohan, and Lawson. If you’re following F1, watch how these drivers respond to pressure before rushing to https://sportbet.one/sports and betting on them. With patience, you will have more data to base your bet on and so, better chances to win it.