Formula 1 welcomes a comprehensive rookie class for the 2025 season. It’s headlined by Kimi Antonelli, who graduates straight from Formula 2 to a Mercedes seat.
Antonelli doesn’t want to be seen as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement as he tries to forge his own legacy in the sport. But it will be difficult to banish that narrative given that Hamilton and Mercedes were the most successful driver/team combination ever.
His former F2 teammate Oliver Bearman will have long-term aspirations of replacing Hamilton at Ferrari. But he must first prove himself at Haas next to Esteban Ocon.
Like Bearman, Jack Doohan has already made his Formula 1 debut. He took over from Ocon early at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, though he had only a few days’ notice.
Doohan left F2 at the end of 2023 before spending the year as the Alpine reserve driver. Gabriel Bortoleto took a more direct path after winning the series, breaking away from McLaren to race for Sauber.
The final seat on the grid went to Isack Hadjar, the indirect beneficiary of Sergio Perez’s Red Bull woes. Liam Lawson’s promotion opened up a seat next to Yuki Tsunoda at the de facto junior team.
Martin Brundle shares his fears for Jack Doohan at Alpine
Martin Brundle appeared on Sky Sports News to offer a preview of the 2025 season, which begins next weekend with the Australian Grand Prix. That means an immediate home race for Doohan.
Compatriot Oscar Piastri was relieved he didn’t have to start in Melbourne, but Doohan faces even more pressure amid the uncertainty around his seat. Newly signed reserve driver Franco Colapinto is pushing to take his drive.
Doohan has signed a £1.5m contract at Alpine, but the deal only runs for an initial six races. That means Colapinto could race for Alpine from the Miami Grand Prix onwards.
Offering his verdict on the rookies, Brundle urged Hadjar to ‘keep a cooler head’. He also expressed his fears for Doohan as he looks ‘over his shoulder’.
“Ollie Bearman – he’s going to be exciting to watch in the Haas,” the pundit said. “Bortoleto, I think, is a real talent, whether he’ll have a chance to show that in the Sauber I don’t know.
“Jack Doohan’s earned his chance in the Alpine, but he’s already looking over his shoulder at Franco Colapinto. Paul Aron’s in the team as well. That’ll be really hard for him to cope with.”
Alpine have implemented strict Jack Doohan media policy for Australian Grand Prix
Part of Colapinto’s appeal is the money he can bring from Argentine sponsors. Alpine have already signed a deal with Mercado Libre.
However, Flavio Briatore is struggling to attract more of Colapinto’s partners. Globant have a deal in place with F1, while oil company YPF are unlikely to sign after Alpine reached an agreement with one of their rivals.
That could offer Doohan some hope. If Colapinto doesn’t bring the anticipated money, then it could become a straight sporting shoot-out.
Alpine will block questions about Colapinto – as best they can – before the race at Albert Park. It’s damaging to the team’s brand, and potentially Doohan’s confidence too.
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