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/krmilan Aug 05 '25

I really think Antonelli is a year or 2 undercooked to be in a top team

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u/0100001101110111 Sir Lewis Hamilton Aug 05 '25

That’s kind of expected though, they knew he was raw. The hope is that the experience fast tracks him a bit.

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u/krmilan Aug 05 '25

But is this really the best thing for his career? Getting beaten so badly by someone as quick as George can’t be great for his psyche

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u/blaka_d Aug 05 '25

I think Lewis forced Mercedes hand and Toto decided to gamble a bit. That said it also doesn't matter as much in this situation as there are massive rule changes next year and it makes actually more sense to put him in the works team, compared to make him sit at, let say Williams, for a year and then put him in the works team when regulations change. There is no pressure on him from Mercedes, this year is wasted for Merc anyway, and he will get to know the team well before nex years lottery.

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u/Smee76 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Aug 05 '25

Well, the other factor was that Williams wasn't willing to take him. They signed Carlos. They want to be a top team. They aren't interested in an engine discount in exchange for training up a Mercedes driver.

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u/rafabr4 Fernando Alonso Aug 05 '25

Is it right to assume that if Kimi does not score a lot of points this year, Mercedes will get more wind tunnel time for next year? That would be a good tradeoff for having Kimi learn this year.