Kimi Antonelli vs Isack Hadjar vs Ollie Bearman vs Gabriel Bortoleto: Max Verstappen picks his standout rookie of the season 

Max Verstappen has been the driver most often seen interacting with F1's promising rookie class of 2025. This year saw six teams beginning the season with one rookie, and one of them bringing in a seventh rookie to the grid to replace his underperforming predecessor.

Red Bull signed Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls signed Isack Hadjar, Haas signed Oliver Bearman, Mercedes signed Kimi Antonelli, Sauber signed Gabriel Bortoleto, and Alpine signed Jack Doohan before replacing him with Franco Colapinto. Barring the dire state of the Alpine drivers, predominantly because of the technical flaws of the team's cars, and Lawson, whose world was shaken after being demoted to Racing Bulls after only two races with Red Bull, the rest of the rookies proved their worth.

While a couple of them, like Hadjar and Antonelli, had the privilege of securing their first F1 podiums in their rookie season, the others had special moments, where they outperformed the machinery under them. Max Verstappen, who was one such rookie who outperformed his car in 2015, recently commented on the 2025 rookie class.

When asked in an interview with Viaplay which rookie impressed him the most, the Red Bull driver replied:

"That's difficult to say. They've all made an impression at certain moments. And they've also made their mistakes as rookies, that's the way it is."

When goaded about who he thought was the fastest, Verstappen said:

"I think Bortoleto, in terms of potential, together with Kimi, are the raw talents, I think, personally."

Gabriel Bortoleto and Kimi Antonelli were the two rookies often seen interacting with Max Verstappen during pre-race driver parades. Some of those interactions made for hilarious clips, with Verstappen looking lost or concerned when team representatives pulled away the rookie he was interacting with, especially Antonelli, for other media duties.

Here's how the rookies fared in the 2025 F1 drivers' standings:

1. Kimi Antonelli - 7th with 150 points
2. Isack Hadjar - 12th with 52 points
3. Oliver Bearman - 13th with 41 points
4. Liam Lawson - 14th with 38 points
5. Gabriel Bortoleto - 19th with 19 points
6. Franco Colapinto and Jack Doohan - 20th and 21st with 0 points

Bearman and Hadjar were the only two drivers who outperformed and finished ahead of their teammates in the standings.

How 'Racing-addicted' Max Verstappen inspired the 2025 F1 rookie class

Gabriel Bortolet with Max Verstappen at the F1 US Grand Prix - Source: Getty

When Max Verstappen debuted as a rookie in 2015, he didn't have a driver who mentored him as he mentored the 2025 rookies. In the Viaplay interview, he shared how the new generation of racers has grown up racing on simulators, something he also loves to do, and already know each other well by the time they reach F1.

In August this year, when the Red Bull driver surpassed 200 race starts, the team dedicated a feature video to him on its YouTube channel. Several rookies featured in the video and expressed gratitude to Verstappen for mentoring them.

Liam Lawson, who unfortunately was given only two races with Red Bull in 2025, shared the story of his debut in 2024 as an injured Daniel Ricciardo's replacement, and how Max Verstappen's 'unexpected' advice took his mind off the pressure-filled debut.

Isack Hadjar, who will become the Dutchman's Red Bull teammate in 2026, revealed how perpetually "open" the 28-year-old is to answering questions or advice. The French driver also shared that Verstappen's onboard is the only one he watches for reference and learns from.

Finally, Gabriel Bortoleto, who also often sim-races with Max Verstappen, labeled him a "racing-addicted" guy with a big heart, and how that serves as an inspiration to young drivers.

In 2026, there will be only one rookie on the F1 grid, with Racing Bulls having signed 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad.