Verstappen Names Bortoleto and Antonelli as Top 'Raw Talents' of 2025 Rookies

Max Verstappen has highlighted Gabriel Bortoleto and Kimi Antonelli as the two 2025 F1 rookies with the most "raw talent." The four-time world champion, who often mentored last season's newcomers, pointed to their potential as the standout quality, separating them from a competitive field that also included his new teammate, Isack Hadjar.

Why it matters:

As the sport's dominant force, Verstappen's assessment carries significant weight. His endorsement of Bortoleto and Antonelli not only spotlights them as future stars but also sets a high bar for their performance as they transition into full-time F1 seats. This peer-to-peer evaluation from the top of the grid offers a unique perspective on the emerging talent shaping the sport's next era.

The details:

• Verstappen built a rapport with the 2024 rookie class, many of whom he knew from the sim racing world, making him a natural source of advice.
• When asked to name the most impressive rookie, he declined to single one out, noting that all had their moments but also made typical rookie mistakes across different machinery.
• However, he was clear on who he sees as the quickest, stating, "I think Bortoleto along with Kimi are really the raw talents in terms of potential."
• The 2025 rookie class includes Antonelli at Mercedes, Bortoleto at Sauber, and Verstappen's new Red Bull teammate, Isack Hadjar.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Bortoleto and Antonelli in 2025 to see if they can translate their "raw talent" into consistent on-track results. Antonelli steps into a high-pressure seat at Mercedes replacing Lewis Hamilton, while Bortoleto joins Sauber ahead of its transition to the Audi works team in 2026. How they perform against each other and the rest of the grid will be a key storyline of the upcoming season.