Who was F1's true Rookie of the Year for 2025?

The official FIA Rookie of the Year award for 2025 went to Ferrari junior and Formula 3 champion Rafael Câmara, marking the second consecutive year the honor has bypassed a current Formula 1 driver. This has reignited the debate over which of the seven F1 rookies from the 2025 season truly delivered the most impressive debut campaign in the sport's top tier.

Why it matters:

The Rookie of the Year title is a significant marker of emerging talent and future potential in Formula 1. With the official award focusing on the junior categories, the discussion shifts to evaluating which new driver made the strongest immediate impact on the grid, providing insight into who might shape the competitive landscape in the coming years. This analysis goes beyond points to consider performance relative to machinery, team dynamics, and raw potential shown under pressure.

The details:

• Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes, P7, 150 pts): The highest-finishing rookie by a significant margin. His season was highlighted by a sprint pole position in Miami and three podium finishes, demonstrating a high peak performance despite a challenging mid-season stretch in Europe.
• Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls, P12, 51 pts): Secured a dream promotion to Red Bull Racing for 2026 on the back of a strong season. His podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix was the standout result, showcasing his racecraft and earning him a seat alongside Max Verstappen.
• Oliver Bearman (Haas, P13, 41 pts): Delivered a consistently impressive performance for Haas, notably outscoring experienced teammate Esteban Ocon. His stunning P4 finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix was a highlight that proved his capability to extract maximum result from the car.
• Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls/VCARB, P14, 38 pts): Endured a rollercoaster season, being dropped by Red Bull after just two races before fighting his way back into a Racing Bulls seat with strong performances. His resilience secured his place on the grid for 2026.
• Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber, P19, 19 pts): Showed bright sparks in a challenging Sauber car, providing optimism for the team's future transition to Audi. His points finishes were hard-earned in an uncompetitive package.
• Jack Doohan & Franco Colapinto (Alpine): Both struggled in a difficult Alpine car, failing to score points. Doohan's stint lasted only six races before being replaced by Colapinto, who did enough to retain his seat for 2026 despite the point-less campaign.

The big picture:

While the FIA's award rightly recognizes dominance in the feeder series, the F1 rookie class of 2025 presented a fascinating mix of narratives. Antonelli's raw results make him a statistical frontrunner, but Hadjar's career-defining promotion and Bearman's giant-killing performances against his teammate present compelling cases based on opportunity and impact. The season underscored that a rookie's success is often measured not just by points, but by how they exceed expectations within their specific team context.

What's next:

The performances of these rookies have already dictated the 2026 driver market, with Hadjar's move to Red Bull being the most prominent example. Antonelli will aim to build on his strong foundation at Mercedes, Bearman will look to lead Haas's development, and Bortoleto will be a focal point for the new Audi project. Their sophomore seasons will be crucial in determining which of these debutants has the staying power to become a future star of the sport.