‘Every chance’ two more rookies could join Jack Doohan and Oliver Bearman on the 2025 F1 grid

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The 2025 Formula 1 grid will have at least two rookies with Oliver Bearman joining Haas and Jack Doohan partnering Pierre Gasly at Alpine.

Formula 1’s grid remained identical ahead of this season, with no driver moves and no rookies stepping up from Formula 2 or another championship.

But the driver market was energised ahead of the campaign as Lewis Hamilton agreed to join Ferrari for 2025, in a shock move to partner Charles Leclerc.

Bearman is also part of the Italian team’s academy and will drive for Haas next season, who use Ferrari power units.

There is also a developing belief that more rookies could begin their first full seasons in Formula 1 next year.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Liam Lawson could race in F1 next season

Alongside Bearman, Doohan has already secured his seat in F1 with Alpine and has the opportunity to race at the highest level.

A couple of rookies in Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Liam Lawson may also have opportunities to join them on the grid next season.

Antonelli has been linked with Mercedes and has developed within the German team’s young driver programme.

After a sensational junior career, winning the Italian F4 and FRECA titles, the 17-year-old is a key contender to replace Hamilton and partner George Russell.

Lawson is similarly talented and enjoyed an impressive junior career, finishing third in the Formula 2 championship in 2022.

The New Zealander also impressed during a five-race stint at AlphaTauri in 2023 alongside Yuki Tsunoda, scoring points on his first visit to Singapore.

F1 journalist Chris Medland said via his X account that both Antonelli and Lawson are candidates to race in Formula 1 next year.

He said: “Doohan joins Bearman as a rookie with a confirmed seat for 2025, and every chance Antonelli and Lawson could make it 20% of next year’s grid (counting Lawson as full-time).”

What teams are available for Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Liam Lawson?

Antonelli has been under the spotlight throughout the season in Formula 2 after taking an unorthodox route through the ladder to F1.

The Italian won the FRECA championship before jumping straight to FIA F2 and skipping Formula 3 which is a very unpredictable, chaotic series.

Antonelli endured a lacklustre start to the season as his team PREMA struggled with the new car but has since taken two wins.

He has also undertaken an extensive testing programme with Mercedes, driving slightly older cars as he prepares to become potentially Hamilton’s replacement.

Lawson may have an option at the front of the field at Red Bull if Sergio Perez continues to struggle, but a more likely option is racing for RB next year.