2025 F1 rookie is emerging as his team’s ‘lead driver’ after three races, his teammate is ‘struggling’

Some of Formula 1’s rookies in the 2025 season have made a greater impression than others after three races.

Kimi Antonelli has produced some strong performances for Mercedes, sitting fifth in the standings ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Despite the immense pressure on his shoulders replacing Lewis Hamilton, the Italian has shown great maturity to score 30 points after his first three races.

While Antonelli has been impressive, Karun Chandhok has named Isack Hadjar as the ‘standout’ rookie so far in 2025. The Racing Bulls driver has recovered brilliantly from his heartbreaking crash on the formation lap in Melbourne, reaching Q3 in China and Japan – scoring points in the latter.

Gabriel Bortoleto has yet to score for Sauber in 2025, but the Brazilian has produced some solid outings, considering his machinery’s lack of power. Jack Doohan and Liam Lawson are also scoreless, but have fared much worse with multiple accidents and poor pace hampering their seasons thus far.

Like Antonelli and Hadjar, Oliver Bearman has put points on the board in 2025. The Brit has used his previous experience in F1 to make a name for himself on the grid with Haas.

Karun Chandhok thinks Oliver Bearman is emerging as Haas’ ‘lead driver’ over Esteban Ocon

Bearman partnered up with Esteban Ocon for 2025 after impressing with Ferrari and Haas last season in his three sub appearances. Pre-season testing did not paint a great picture for the American team, with Valtteri Bottas raising concern for Haas.

Things did not start well as Bearman crashed twice in practice in Melbourne and had a mechanical issue in qualifying. After he and Ocon limped home 13th and 14th, Haas found strong performance in Shanghai.

The duo came home to score points and were elevated to P5 and P8 after the Ferraris were disqualified. Peter Windsor compared Bearman to Nigel Mansell after he produced some incredible overtakes at the hairpin throughout the race.

The 19-year-old backed up his performance with P10 at the Japanese Grand Prix, while Ocon struggled at the back in 18th. Speaking on The F1 Show after practice in Bahrain, Chandhok thinks Bearman is emerging as the ‘lead driver’ at Haas over his experienced teammate.

“Ollie Bearman, he had a tough start in Melbourne, ended up in the gravel, ended up in the barriers, took a lot of damage,” he said.

“But he put that behind him and did a great job in Shanghai, coming through the pack, doing a great race there. Some brilliant overtaking, lots of switchback moves down at the hairpin.

“And of course, last time out in Japan, he got points and he really has emerged as a sort of lead driver it has to be said in that Haas team. Esteban Ocon even today struggling for pace.”

READ MORE: Who is 2025 Haas driver Oliver Bearman? Everything to know

Oliver Bearman seems to have taken Esteban Ocon’s advice on board in 2025

While Ocon has double the points of Bearman, the latter does seem more comfortable in the VF-25. He managed to get his car into Q3 at Suzuka while the Frenchman languished at the back.

Ocon blamed the Haas car for the gap between him and Bearman in Japan – the team had been experimenting with a new floor over the weekend. The 28-year-old claimed it only worked on one car, but Ayao Komatsu said the data showed it had performance on both.

Villneue was astonished by Bearman in Japan as he got his car into Q3. It seems the Brit has taken on board his teammate’s advice ahead of 2025.

Ocon told Bearman he must ‘enjoy it’ in F1 or he will have regrets. The 19-year-old does look more accustomed to the VF-25 than his teammate with back-to-back impressive performances.