P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 has a crowded fleet of rookies this season – but which has performed the best over the campaign’s opening nine rounds?
The 2025 F1 season features a strong rookie class, with drivers debuting under different circumstances throughout the paddock. Seven out of the 21 drivers racing in F1 this year can be seen as true rookies. The rookies face intense scrutiny to prove themselves, given the one-third rookie presence in the grid. The performance gap is evident, with top-performing rookies like Antonelli contrasted with those in less competitive cars like Bortoleto. Each rookie’s progress and potential are closely monitored, with standout performances from drivers like Hadjar and Antonelli. The rookies face the challenge of establishing themselves amidst unequal machinery and the pressure to deliver results or risk losing their seats. The ongoing performance battle among the rookies sparks debates over who is excelling the most in their debut season.
