Formula 1 had its biggest intake of rookies since the 2010 season this year, with six drivers all making their full-time debuts.
Several drivers made the step up from Formula 2, including 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli who replaced Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.
Oliver Bearman also stepped up to Haas after making his successful debut with Ferrari last year, while Red Bull reshuffled their driver lineup and promoted F2 runner-up Isack Hadjar to Racing Bulls.
Liam Lawson briefly replaced Sergio Perez at Red Bull for two races, but after underperforming, they decided to swap him for Yuki Tsunoda after two races.
Speaking at a recent fan event in London, Hamilton revealed who his favourite rookie is when asked by The Athletic.
Lewis Hamilton names Isack Hadjar as ‘favourite’ F1 rookie in 2025
Hamilton has always given his support for rookies in F1, knowing how much of a tough journey it is to get to the world championship.
The seven-time world champion was at a recent store opening in London, which was for a trading card company in partnership with F1.
When asked whose trading cards he would most likely collect out of the current grid, Hamilton responded: “Naturally, Kimi (Antonelli). (Oliver) Bearman. Isack Hadjar is probably my favourite, he’s really cool.”
Hamilton’s father, Anthony Hamilton, consoled Hadjar after he crashed during the formation lap on his debut.
Isack Hadjar earns praise from F1 paddock after strong start
It was not the ideal first race for Hadjar when he crashed out before his race had even begun. Helmut Marko privately told Hadjar he’ll do better at China after the crash, despite appearing to criticise him publicly for his reaction.
Hadjar has made an impression on the F1 paddock with how well he’s bounced back from the crash, having taken points finishes in Japan and, most recently, Saudi Arabia.
He is now the joint on points with Tsunoda as the Red Bull driver with the second-highest points total, ahead of Lawson who has yet to score points this year.
Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen was impressed by Hadjar’s race in Jeddah, having driven into the points for the second time this season and come close to battling the two Williams drivers.
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