Naomi Schiff names the F1 rookie she’d ‘put my money on’ to outshine ‘wonderkid’ Kimi Antonelli

Formula 1 has welcomed an influx of young drivers onto the grid for the 2025 season with four official rookies plus two more new full-time drivers set to start in Australia.

The FIA has not listed new Red Bull racer Liam Lawson or Haas driver Oliver Bearman among F1’s latest class of rookies. Both have already registered at least three Grand Prix starts to hit the minimum number to lose the tag. Yet Lawson and Bearman are both full-season rookies.

Sauber talent Gabriel Bortoleto, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls ace Isack Hadjar, Mercedes star Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Alpine ace Jack Doohan make up the official contingent of rookies on the 2025 Formula 1 grid. Just Doohan has a Grand Prix start after his debut in Abu Dhabi.

Alpine released Esteban Ocon to give Doohan an early debut in the 2024 season-finale back in December. The Yas Marina Circuit also saw Bortoleto beat Hadjar to secure the Formula 2 title before Red Bull promoted Lawson to replace Sergio Perez and created a seat for Hadjar.

Naomi Schiff backs new Red Bull driver Liam Lawson to be F1’s 2025 Rookie of the Year

Lawson moved to Red Bull from Visa Cash App RB (now called Racing Bulls) to support Max Verstappen for the 2025 Formula 1 season. It caps a rapid rise to the front of the grid for the 23-year-old, who has just 11 Grands Prix to his name with five starts in 2023 and six in 2024.

READ MORE: Who is Red Bull Racing F1 driver Liam Lawson? Everything you need to know

His cameo drives at AlphaTauri and RB before the team’s latest rebrand to Racing Bulls over the past two seasons ensures the Kiwi is not classified as an F1 rookie by the FIA. Yet Naomi Schiff tips Lawson as F1’s 2025 Rookie of the Year given he joins Red Bull with experience.

“If I would have to put my money on someone, it would probably be Liam Lawson,” Schiff told Sky Sports News (5/3, 12:36). “He’s obviously had some time in the RB with 11 races already under his belt, he’s coming in with experience.

“So, I think he would be the no-brainer to go behind. In a Red Bull with some experience, I think Liam will do very well. But let’s not count out Antonelli.”

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is a ‘wonderkid’ but Mercedes may wait for his potential to show

Antonelli and Lawson are likely to be the only rookies in with a chance of fighting for wins or podiums in their first full season as F1 drivers given the Italian and Kiwi are at Mercedes and Red Bull – a big contrast to Bortoleto with Sauber failing to meet expectations in pre-season.

But while Antonelli has replaced Lewis Hamilton as George Russell’s teammate following the seven-time champion’s move to Ferrari, Schiff thinks Mercedes may have to wait to see the 18-year-old’s potential. Antonelli is about to be the third-youngest driver to start an F1 race.

READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats

Schiff added: “Antonelli is obviously a driver who’s coming in with a lot less experience but seems to be the wonderkid that Mercedes are willing to take a gamble on.

“So, let’s watch his development throughout the year. I think he’s got a lot of potential but it might just take him a little bit longer to get up there.”