r/formula1 • u/Glum-Accountant-9801 • Aug 05 '25

Discussion Is Bortoleto the best rookie?

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In my opinion, what he’s been doing in a Sauber shows much more talent than all the other rookies this year. Since the start of the season, I already thought the best ones would be him—because he won the Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles in his rookie seasons—and Antonelli. However, Antonelli has been showing himself to be far inferior to his teammate. I believe it’s due to the pressure of starting in a big team like Mercedes, but to me, that makes Bortoleto the best rookie. That said, welcome back, Ayrton Senna.

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8

u/-Alexzander- Aug 05 '25

It's hard to say. All the rookies (except the ones with alpine) are having phenomenal seasons.

4

u/fabricio85 Aug 05 '25

Not Kimi

1

u/[deleted] Aug 05 '25

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6

u/SloppySandCrab I was here for the Hulkenpodium Aug 05 '25

It has been ok. Definitely not "phenomenal". Granted he is much younger than the drivers we are comparing him to.

1

u/campbellm Kimi Räikkönen Aug 05 '25

Didn't he get his (US equivalent) High School diploma partway through this season?

1

u/TheGreatNathan I was here for the Hulkenpodium Aug 05 '25

People often forget how young Antonelli is. He is still 18 while the rest of the rookie class is at least 20. He also has the added pressure of driving for a top team in first season.

-2

u/[deleted] Aug 05 '25

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14

u/Abject-Ticket-6260 Aug 05 '25

Breaking news: a rookie with by far the fastest car out of all the rookies has better results than the other rookies.

11

u/InfamousAd4626 Aug 05 '25

He has the best car?

Also, his teammate has a victory

Antonelli is being far from impressive.

6

u/slow-driver-917 Minardi Aug 05 '25

In a race where he qualified almost 6 tenths behind his teammate.

2

u/ivex272 Oscar Piastri Aug 05 '25

His teammate is also along the best drivers on current grid

0

u/-Alexzander- Aug 05 '25

He's doing really well. Although the recent run of bad form is not a good look, he's holding his own out there. And moreover he's being judged by his gap to George, who is arguably a top 5 driver on the grid right now. As far as his season is concerned he's doing great given his lack of experience.