After seeing no driver changes for the first time in Formula 1 history in 2024, a wave of young talent will take to the grid next season.
F1 has seen four rookies be confirmed on the grid so far for 2025, and there may be more to come with the complex situation at Red Bull possibly opening the door for two drivers to join them and Visa Cash App RB.
Oliver Bearman will move to a full-time seat with Haas next season alongside Esteban Ocon. The Brit has made three appearances in F1 this year, making his debut with Ferrari in Jeddah and replacing Kevin Magnussen at his future team in Baku and Sao Paulo.
His Formula 2 teammate Kimi Antonelli will replace seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes as the 18-year-old Italian continues his meteoric rise up the ranks.
F2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto has signed with Sauber on a multi-year deal, which will see him become an Audi works driver in 2026 when they take over the operations from the Swiss outfit.
Australian Jack Doohan will also make his F1 debut next season as he signs with Alpine for 2025 to partner Pierre Gasly. And Eddie Jordan has shared his delight over the 21-year-old’s arrival.
Eddie Jordan ‘overjoyed’ to see Jack Doohan get a chance in F1 in 2025
Doohan has solely served as the Enstone-based team’s reserve driver this season and has had several tests and FP1 appearances with the team. The Aussie becomes the first Alpine Academy driver to graduate to an F1 seat.
Jordan has been very vocal about the need for young talent of the grid on F1, and speaking with David Coulthard on his Formula For Success Podcast, the former team owner is ‘overjoyed’ by Doohan’s arrival in particular.
READ MORE: Who is 2025 Alpine F1 driver Jack Doohan? Everything you need to know
He said: “We’ve been very strong about Formula 1 not becoming stagnant, not becoming old. And we were concerned when we said: ‘the 40-odd-year-old Lewis Hamilton and 40-odd-year-old Alonso, all in Formula 1.’
“But they are multiple world champions and have every right to be there. But at the same time there needs to be an opportunity for a flow of the latest talent coming through.
“Look, you’ve [DC] got your son, you must be happy to be able to see this, and the same as our great friend Mick Doohan. His son has finally got in, Jack.
“So, he’s one of the four that are going to be on the grid next year and I’m absolutely personally overjoyed, not particularly just for Jack, because we know him, and his dad is an absolute trooper.
“But the fact is that they’ve been given this opportunity. I’ve been banging on about this with you for a very long time, and let’s hope our word were hated because we’ve got four young really top, top guys.”
Flavio Briatore seems to have Jack Doohan’s replacement already in mind
Despite Doohan having not made his F1 debut yet, it has been suggested that the Aussie could be set for a swift exit. The press release about the 21-year-old’s arrival simply said 2025, alluding to the idea he had signed a one-year deal, but Alpine have reportedly only offered Doohan a contract for five races.
A one-year deal brings pressure in itself for a rookie to perform and keep their place in F1, but it seems that Flavio Briatore already has his eyes on other drivers.
Alpine are ‘making offers’ to Franco Colapinto who despite his impressive performances with Williams, does not currently have a seat for 2025 as he is being linked with the vacant RB seat.
Colapinto would bring strong financial backing to the team and would be a driver for the future, but the Argentine could be in the car sooner than expected if Doohan failed to perform in the first five races.
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