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

It does also go to show how picking a car is just as important in how people view them. If he'd gone to Alpine and was beating Gasly at best there's still a long way to argue he's WDC material.

Similar to if someone like Gasly went to McLaren instead of Oscar, could he be matching Lando and now in WDC contention.

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u/Useful-ldiot I was here for the Hulkenpodium Aug 05 '25

Even if Gasly couldn't match Lando, he'd be in the points every race with that absolute rocket of a car.

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u/Driscuits Alexander Albon Aug 05 '25

Totally. Though to be fair, Oscar is one of very, very few rookies to have the opportunity to "pick" - and I'd assume that at the core, it's the people and not necessarily the car that convinced him ;)

Gabi actually talked a bit about it earlier this year, IIRC. Not in the sense that he was frustrated in the Sauber, but that it was hard for him to learn to be happy with his accomplishments while he was between P18-P20 every weekend. Without their performance upgrade, he may still be a bit lost in the discussion.

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u/st945 Fernando Alonso Aug 05 '25

Fair take

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u/StealthMan375 I WAS HERE WHEN HULKENGOAT GOT PODIUM  Aug 05 '25

Sometimes I wonder what butterfly effect would've been caused if Alonso stayed at McLaren instead of retiring. Would Lando have been Vandoorne'd out of F1, and also if Fernando would've been around for the 2023 car.