P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Valtteri Bottas has insisted the trend that has seen teams prioritise up-and-coming drivers over their established counterparts in F1 could “change again”.
In 2025, Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari led to significant changes in the driver lineup, marking a departure from the previous season’s unchanged roster. Mercedes replaced Hamilton with rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who joins four other rookies on the grid. The emergence of young talents like Oliver Bearman and Franco Colapinto has shown that rookies can make an immediate impact in Formula 1. Teams are preparing for the 2026 regulations by giving opportunities to young drivers, although experienced drivers like Nico Hulkenberg remain valued. The shift towards young drivers is a current trend, but the balance between experience and youth may change depending on performance. Max Verstappen’s early success as a rookie has influenced teams’ perceptions of young talents in the sport. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff expressed relief at Hamilton’s departure, ensuring they could retain Antonelli and avoid a repeat of losing a promising talent to a rival team. Bottas noted the current preference for young drivers but emphasized the importance of performance in determining future trends in driver selection.
