Every Formula 1® season brings a new set of fresh faces to the grid, but 2025 marks an especially exciting influx of new talent. This year we are joined by Oliver Bearman, Kimi Antonelli, Isaac Hadjar, Gabriel Bortoleto and Jack Doohan, each bringing an impressive resume with them.
With these newcomers stepping up, expectations will be high as fans wait with bated breath to see who will carry the torch and possibly be the next champion in waiting. As these newcomers take their first steps in Formula 1®, it is the perfect time to look back at some of the greatest rookie seasons in the sport’s history.
Lewis Hamilton (2007) - One Point from History
Some rookie drivers take time to bed in when joining Formula 1, utilising a period where they get to know their new car and learn to adapt slowly. But not all of them.
Lewis Hamilton stepped into a Formula 1® car with all the swagger and raw talent that made him the stone-cold winner of today. His first nine races resulted in nine podiums, including back-to-back wins in Canada and the USA.
Hamilton went on to impress throughout the rest of the 2007 season, narrowly missing out on winning the Championship by one point to Kimi Räikkönen. This season was arguably the greatest performance ever from a rookie, going on to clinch the title one year later.
Secure a piece of Lewis Hamilton’s journey to becoming one of the greatest, here.
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Jacques Villeneuve (1996) - Pushing for the Title on Debut
In similar fashion to Lewis Hamilton, Jacques Villeneuve began his Formula 1® career with the attitude of a future World Champion. Stepping into the sport with Williams, Villeneuve took pole position in his first-ever Grand Prix and came home in second place.
The Canadian driver went on to stand on the podium another ten times during the season, with four of them being upon the top step. The incredible performances of the rookie earned him a second-place spot in the Championship.
Jacques Villeneuve continued to prove the hype surrounding him in his second season, as he was crowned the World Champion in 1997. The rookie season of Villeneuve is one that fans of the sport will look back on throughout history, and now you can take your opportunity to own a piece of Villeneuve’s history today.
Max Verstappen (2016) - The Teenage Dream
The 2025 season will see two teenagers join the grid with Gabriel Bortoleto and Kimi Antonelli, so it is only right we take a look back at the greatest teenager to ever race in Formula 1®, Max Verstappen. The 17-year-old burst onto the scene with the same blend of pace and aggression which has made him such a dominant champion.
After just 23 races in the Red Bull junior team, the 18-year-old Max Verstappen shook the world when he was promoted to the Red Bull Racing Team and became the youngest ever Grand Prix winner. During the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen won the race and made it clear his potential was not just talk.
The performance of Verstappen was impressive, and so is the memorabilia from his amazing career, check it out now!
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Honourable Mentions
Other iconic rookie seasons include Kimi Räikkönen in 2001, where the young Finn came into the sport with only 23 single-seater appearances under his belt. Kimi impressed from the get-go with a points finish in his first Grand Prix.
Michael Schumacher’s stunning arrival in 1991 is another impressive entry into the sport, where he impressed so much in a one-off Jordan drive that Benetton immediately signed him.
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Own a Piece of the History
These rookie drivers didn’t just survive their rookie seasons, they thrived in them, laying the foundations for their legendary careers which followed. As the 2025 rookies aim to write their own story, F1 Authentics will bring you pieces of their history. Whether it is signed helmets, race-worn items or bodywork from iconic races, F1 Authentics lets you own a piece of these young stars’ history.
Who will be the next rookie to leave a lasting legacy? With the 2025 season set to reveal all, fans can relive the greatest debut performances while keeping an eye on the stars of the future.
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