Formula 1 will welcome six rookies to the grid in 2025 for the first time since the 2010 season, as several gear up for the big changes in regulations.
There were virtually no changes to the grid between the 2023 and 2024 seasons, however midway through the year several teams started to make adjustments based on performance.
Williams brought in Franco Colapinto to replace Logan Sargeant, while Red Bull replaced fan favourite Daniel Ricciardo with Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls.
Lawson’s appointment was always seen as preparation for a full-time drive at the top team, given how Sergio Perez was underperforming and eventually cost Red Bull a chance at defending their Constructors’ Championship.
Now a report has emerged in AMuS that states Red Bull team principal Christian Horner did not plan on making any promotions for their drivers in 2025.
Christian Horner did not plan to promote Isack Hadjar in 2025
One of the six full-time rookies making his debut next season is Frenchman Isack Hadjar, who was runner up in the Formula 2 championship last year.
Although he missed out on the title to fellow rookie Gabriel Bortoleto in F2, Horner still called him an ‘outstanding’ talent who is one to watch for the future.
The report in AMuS states that Racing Bulls had not yet planned its full driver lineup for 2025. Yuki Tsunoda was always going to be part of the lineup having signed a contract extension, but who would partner him was still up in the air.
Hadjar has since impressed at a recent test that took place at Imola, where he managed to put in a consistent amount of laps in tricky conditions.
Red Bull wants to emphasise strength of junior programme
It is going to be an important season for Red Bull to show that it has plans for what is going to happen after Max Verstappen, given the Dutchman might not last as long as intially thought at the team.
Verstappen has a contract until the 2028 season, but if the team is struggling for performance in 2026 he could make the switch to another team on the grid.
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Aston Martin has denied that it has been in talks with Verstappen, as Adrian Newey appears to be spearheading an effort to get him to join the team.
Red Bull will want to ensure that Hadjar and Lawson are effective ‘Plan B’ options, if no driver of Verstappen’s unique calibre is coming through the ranks in the next couple of years.
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