P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 rookies drop slick Verstappen nickname
During the past Formula 1 season, an unusual amount of rookies made their debuts, drawing attention to their performances. Max Verstappen emerged as one of the most vocal supporters of the new drivers, earning himself the title “the father of the rookies.” Kimi Antonelli, taking over Lewis Hamilton’s spot at Mercedes, showcased his potential by claiming his first pole position during the Miami Sprint and achieving podium finishes at three grands prix.
Isack Hadjar, who will pair up with Verstappen in the future, impressed in his debut season with Racing Bulls, securing a third-place finish at Zandvoort. Ollie Bearman stood out at Haas by outshining his teammate Esteban Ocon, while Gabriel Bortoleto achieved a career-best sixth place with Kick Sauber in Hungary, soon transitioning to Audi.
Alpine’s Jack Doohan and his successor Franco Colapinto ended the season without scoring points. Looking ahead, the grid will feature only one rookie, as Arvid Lindblad signed with the Red Bull sister team. Verstappen’s support from the shadows has been crucial for the rookies, with many stating his backing has played a vital role in their journey, as highlighted by Antonelli and Bortoleto in interviews with Formula1.com.
