Alex Jacques explains why the 2025 season will be ‘easier’ for Oliver Bearman than Kimi Antonelli

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The 2025 Formula 1 season is set to potentially be even more thrilling than this year’s campaign as the grid will likely converge one last time before the rules change for the following season.

Going into the final six races of this year, four teams will believe they could be standing on the top step of the podium at each event, with McLaren trying to win a first Constructors’ Championship this century and Max Verstappen looking over his shoulder at the oncoming Lando Norris.

However, there are already several fascinating storylines developing for 2025.

Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari will dominate the headlines but there are several new drivers joining the grid as well.

Kimi Antonelli, Jack Doohan and Oliver Bearman are all confirmed to be racing for Mercedes, Alpine and Haas respectively.

READ MORE: Who is 2025 Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli? Everything to know

There are still two more seats to fill for 2025 as well and RB and Sauber could both give drivers their first full-time contracts should they wish, with Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto and Franco Colapinto all in the conversation.

Speaking to the Formula For Success Members Club, commentator Alex Jacques gave his thoughts on the sport’s newest drivers.

Expectations are going to vary up and down the grid but Jacques believes that Bearman is likely to have an easier season than Antonelli next year.

David Coulthard has plenty of faith in Antonelli doing a good job next year, but Bearman’s -albeit minimal – F1 experience and starting life on the grid at Haas rather than his parent team Ferrari could give him the time needed to develop into a strong driver.

Alex Jacques compares Oliver Bearman and Kimi Antonelli’s start to life in Formula 1 in 2025

Talking about next season, Coulthard said: “We don’t know where the Haas or Alpine will be next year, but you’ve got to say, Hulkenberg has regularly stuck the Haas into the top ten in terms of qualifying pace which has to be a reality of the machine below him.

“He’s a talented guy and I really believe in Nico and he’s always been good in qualifying, but that car has shown itself to be a solid mid-grid runner.”

READ MORE: Who is 2025 Haas driver and Ferrari gem Oliver Bearman? Everything to know

Jacques replied: “Yeah, and I think that’s going to give, it’s almost an easier place to make your debut for Bearman.

“Full-season, rookie campaign, in that Q3, is an absolute necessity for Antonelli, and it’s going to be a bonus early on for Bearman, so Bearman has a lower bar to clear.

“But, really talented drivers and nice to see rookies coming back into fashion after no changes last year.”

Jock Clear on why Oliver Bearman is going to be ‘even more’ exciting next season

Bearman hasn’t had the easiest campaign in Formula 2 this season, although missing out on events at Jeddah – where he was set to start on pole position – and Baku – where he achieved a clean sweep in 2023 – haven’t helped his cause.

The British teenager currently sits 15^th in the F2 championship with two victories but only seven points finishes across the campaign.

However, Bearman’s two point-scoring finishes in Formula 1 were enough to convince Haas that he was worth hiring for 2025 alongside fellow new recruit Esteban Ocon.

Jock Clear has shared why Bearman will be even more exciting the longer he spends in F1.

He’s not a driver known for immediately getting up to speed, which makes his performances for Ferrari and Haas this year even more impressive.

The spotlight will be on Antonelli from the start, and if he can cope with that pressure, then Toto Wolff’s decision to promote him at such a young age will be a masterstroke.

However, Bearman can go about his business in the midfield at Haas under the radar but will hope to surprise plenty of people once he’s racing in F1 full-time.