Formula 1 will welcome six fresh faces to the grid for their first full-time seasons in the sport in 2025, one shy of the record set back in 2001.
One driver who entered the grid 24 years ago remains today, with Fernando Alonso set to embark on his 23rd campaign with Aston Martin.
They’re one of just two teams that will have the same driver line-up this season, with McLaren retaining their pairing too.
The last of the drivers to be confirmed was Visa Cash App Racing Bulls’ new driver Isack Hadjar after Liam Lawson was confirmed as a Red Bull driver.
The Frenchman finished second behind new Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto in Formula 2 last year and is hoping to repay the faith the Italian team has placed in him.
Hadjar has a tough gig to score points at a team that finished eighth in the Constructors’ Championship in 2024, but Red Bull must believe he has the talent to do so if they prefer him over Franco Colapinto.
Harry Benjamin picks Isack Hadjar to ‘struggle’ in his rookie F1 season
Helmut Marko has made a move which places Hadjar’s future in doubt already, with the Austrian eager for 17-year-old Arvid Lindblad to have a full FIA super licence before the start of the season.
It means that if he struggles to perform in the first half of the season, he could find himself replaced by Red Bull’s next big protegee.
On a positive note, Hadjar has been told he’s similar to Pierre Gasly ahead of his debut. Replicating his fellow countryman’s form would see him remain in the sport for a long time.
READ MORE: Why Isack Hadjar has already made F1 history for 2025 by following in Nico Rosberg’s footsteps
Speaking in a reel on his Instagram account, Formula 1 commentator Harry Benjamin shared his hypothesis for Hadjar’s first season.
“I’m counting six rookies on the grid this year, that’s just exciting as it is already,” he said.
“Some with greater experience than others, I think the likes of Bearman and Bortoleto will go quite well. I wonder if Hadjar might struggle.”
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Conversely, Hadjar could surprise a lot of his doubters and have a good season in 2025. He didn’t come close to winning the Formula 2 title last season from nothing.
Yuki Tsunoda has just been snubbed by the senior team after spending four years developing and maturing in Italy.
Unless Liam Lawson has a terrible campaign, there’s little chance that he ever gets to step into their cockpit in a full-time capacity.
READ MORE: Isack Hadjar and F1 rookies will be wary of ‘plug and play’ driver replacing them if they struggle in 2025
It leaves him searching for a new drive ahead of the 2026 season, with his Honda backing suggesting that Aston Martin could be a possibility for him now that they will be supplying the Silverstone-based outfit with power units.
Getting beaten by Hadjar in his rookie season would put off any potential suitors though, and could leave his career at risk.
There won’t be too many openings for the 2026 season and the best way to put himself in the hunt for them is by performing well, not losing to his teammate. It’s a big year for both VCARB drivers.
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