RETRO: More Fallen Racing Drivers from The “friendly Skies”

When it’s not always best to be traveling by Small plane…

 

Of my short list of drivers to fall into this ghoulish category, obviously the most famous is Graham Hill. For which I’d forgotten that this November will be the 50th Anniversary of His death. As Hill and five others perished on November 29, 1975.

 

Hill was a two-times Formula 1 World champion, (1962, 1968)  winner of the 1966 Indianapolis 500 as a rookie. And won  the 1972 24 Heurs du Mans along with five Monaco Grands Prix. And is still the only winner of the mythical Triple Crown, i.e.; Indianapolis 500, 24 Hours of Le Mans and Monaco Grand Prix, that surely Frederico Suave has now given up upon, ci?

 

Hill won 14 races and 13 poles between 1958 and 1975, then setting the endurance mark for most Grands Prix starts at 176, before Jacques Laffite tied Him eleven years, two months and two days later at the 1986 British Grand Prix. While Fernando Alonso made His momentous 400th Grands Prix start last December at Qatar, and has longs since doubled Hill and Laffite’s accomplishment…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2024/12/f1-alonso-officially-starts-his-400th.html

 

I’ll freely admit that I’d forgotten the name of the other Formula 1 driver on that fateful flight. As 23yr old Tony Brise was onboard, along with four other team members.

 

Briese was Hill’s protégé, having effectively replaced Hill at His namesake’s F1 team Embassy Hill Racing, following Graham’s retirement from Formula 1 after failing to qualify for the 1975 Monaco Grand Prix. Making a total of ten Grands Prix starts over His short F1 career.

 

Brise had impressed in the unheard of MCB International Formula Antlantic Championship in 1975. Winning six consecutive races enroute to the title and thus catching the eye of sir Frank Williams. Deputizing for the injured Jacques Laffite, Brise made His Formula 1 debut at that year’s Spanish Grand Prix, finishing seventh. Yet perhaps it was an omen? As the race saw the deaths of four spectators…

 

Returning from testing their 1976 F1 challenger, the Hill GH2 racecar at Circuit Paul Ricard. With 46yr old Hill at the controls of His six seater Aeroplane on a night flight in rapidly diminishing skies, as the London Fog got thicker ‘n thicker. Hill most likely misjudged the Elstree Airfield in the fog. First grazing a tall tree at the nearby Golf course upon approach with the Aztec’s landing gear and flaps deployed. Before hitting further trees. With the plane then rolling right before it’s wingtip dug int the ground and the plane erupted into fire, killing all six persons immediately!

 

As Hill, Brise, Embassy Hill team manager Ray Brimble, Designer Andy Smallman and mechanics Tony Alcock and Terry Richards perished aboard the twin engine Piper PA-23 Aztec on a night when Hill should have diverted to His secondary airfield for landing. As a previous airplane had aborted three attempts of landing at Elstree Three hours earlier, when unable to either see the field’s lights or spotting them too late upon approach due to the thick fog…

 

The only driver on this short list to have a racing circuit named in His honour is the unheralded Jose Carlos Pace, a “One Hit” wonder. Having won His Home Grand Prix in 1975 in Sao Paolo at Interlagos, better known today as Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace. Formerly known as the Autodromo de Interlagos, site of the Brazilian Grand Prix, beginning in 1972. And known as the Sao Paolo Grand Prix since 2021.

 

Carlos began His F1 career driving for Frank Williams, making His debut at the 1972 South African Grand Prix. Then switched to Surtees between 1973, to Mid-season 1974, before falling out with John Surtees.

 

After driving a privateer Goldie Hexagon Racing Brabham entry in France, Carlos switched to the Brabham team for the remainder of His F1 career. Winning the Brazilian Grand Prix in ’75, when He and teammate Carlos Reutemann regularly featured up front. Leading Brabham to second in the Formula 1 constructors Championship behind the wheel of the BT44 Ford-Cosworth DFV V-8.

 

Yet the following season, Brabham’s fortunes dipped when switching to the heavier Alfa Romeo Flat 12 lumps’ that team owner Bernie Ecclestone had secured. Before improvement shone with the new V-12 units, along with Carlos new teammate John Watson before catastrophe struck.

 

A native of Sao Paolo, Pace died in a light plane accident in March, 1977 at Age 32, leaving behind a wife and two children…

 

Like most drivers of the day, Pace also raced in Sports Cars. Most notably finishing runner-up in the 1973 24 Heurs du Mans driving a Werks’ Scuderia Ferrari 312PB with Arturo Merzario.

 

The final two members of my short list hail from IndyCar’s Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) era. And Diehard IndyCar Aficionados will know who they are…

 

 

Al Holbert is seemingly more synonymous with His Sports Car career vs. Open wheel Racing. Having won five IMSA GT Championships along with being one of nine Triple Crown Endurance race winners, i.e.; Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans.

 

Having previously scribbled about Messer Holbert’s exploits in my No Fenders five-part Le Mans Triple Crown saga…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2023/10/le-mans-triple-crown-winners-part-3.html

 

Yet I tend to forget that Holbert ran a single season in CART during 1984 for Alex Morales Motorsports in an March/Cosworth chassis. Claiming three top tens, and two top fives; including a career best fourth place finish at that year’s Indianapolis 500, finishing ahead of fellow rookie Michael Andretti…

 

In September, 1988, sadly upon takeoff from nearby Columbus, Ohio, a clamshell door that wasn’t closed caused Holbert’s Piper PA-60 Aerostar to crash. Fatally killing Al Holbert then just age 41.

 

Tony Bettenhausen Jr. surely lived under the shadow of His Father, like All Bettenhausen’s did, Righto? Especially with Pops’ or Senior being a two-times National Champion and winner of 21 races.

 

Thought that Tony Lee Bettenhausen Jr. had contested far more than the 103 IndyCar races over His driving career between 1979 to 1993. Capping His driving career at that year’s Indianapolis 500, finishing P22 in a Penske PC22/Chevrolet.

 

And like I’ve typed before, Tony’s remembered more to Mwah as a CART team owner with those sharp looking Alumax year old Penske chassis…

 

Sadly, on Valentines Day 2000, Tony, with wife Shirley and businessmen Russ Roberts and Larry Rangel died in a small plane crash in Harrison County, Kentucky, enroute to Indianapolis after attending CART Spring Training at Homestead, Florida.

 

As here’s a long ago No Fenders yarn I scribbled’ about the Bettenhausen’s and Vukovich’s…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2011/05/retro-bettenhausens-n-vukovichs-unsung.html 

RETRO: The Not so “Friendly Skies”

As Buckle-up Y’all, we’re in for another Bumpy ride…

 

Yeah, I suppose this story is a Wee’ bytamite Ghoulish, Err maudlin. But I came across some “new” old Formula 1 characters I simply wanted to scribble about. As it was the totally unknown Jose Dolhem that sparked this story’s topic…

 

Following the Washington D.C. Midair Crash involving a American Eagle TSA Airlines bombardier BRJ701ER passenger jet and U.s. Army Blackhawk Helicopter, killing all 67 persons involved, I learned the following from a recent article in the New York Times.

 

“More than 90 percent of the country’s 313 air traffic control facilities operate below the Federal Aviation Administration’s recommended staffing levels. (According to an analysis of staffing data from the union representing controllers obtained by The New York Times)

As of earlier this month, (January)  285 facilities — which include traffic control towers and other locations — were below staffing thresholds set by the F.A.A. and the union. At 73 of those facilities, staffing is so low that at least a quarter of the work force is missing. Even though the U.S. air travel system remains among the safest in the world.

 

Efforts already underway to hire and train new controllers are expected to fall short of staffing demands, according to F.A.A. projections. Nearly three-quarters of facilities will still remain below recommended staffing levels after a long training process.

Improving the ranks may not happen quickly. It can take over four years to train a new air traffic controller at a certain facilities. At Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the site of the crash this week, (January 29^th) training takes nearly 16 months, the data shows.”

 

Perhaps it’s just Mwah? But has anybody realized the irony of this deadly crash at Reagan National Airport, and that wasn’t it ‘Ol ronnie’ (Reagan) Himself who famously Fired Air Traffic Controllers for striking? Or something to that effect Wayback’ in the 1980’s, Righto

 

Hmm, perhaps El Presidente Fired All of those career service Federal Employees in order to free up “staff” for the woefully understaffed Air Traffic Control facilities, Eh?

 

Nah, as the Emperor was modeling His latest duds’ at the Day-Toner’ 500, His administration was busy firing thousands of Air Traffic Controllers!

 

Oh yeah, I keep forgetting, we’re gonna do More with less now, Oh Never Mind!

 

Yep indeedy’, Ronald Reagan Fired 11,000 of the 13,000 striking Air Traffic Controllers in 1981, for which arguably, we’re still feeling the effects of today!

 

But back to the totally unknown Jose Dolhem that sparked this No Fenders story, as Y’all know who that is, Righto? Nope, I’d never heard of Him previously either…

 

Louis Jose Lucien Dolhem was born on April 26, 1944 in Paris, France. Making His debut in the 1971 European formula 2 Championship, driving for the Siffert Racing Team. Finishing P14 at the Autodromo di Vallelunga aboard a Chevron B18 Ford Cosworth.

 

Jose’s F2 career was mediocre, before He attempted qualifying for three Formula 1 races in 1974. Failing to qualify (DNQ) upon His debut at the French Grand Prix for the Surtees Racing Organisation F1 Team, aboard a Surtees TS16 naturally aspirated 3.0-litre Ford-Cosworth DFV V-8 entry.

 

Dolhem then again failed to qualify (DNQ) at Monza, before finally qualifying for the season finale U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen.

 

Unfortunately on lap-10, fellow Surtees teammate Helmut Koinigg suffered suspension failure at Turn-2, shooting Him into the nearby Armco. Yet this Armco had been improperly secured, killing the Austrian instantly upon being Decapitated! Thus Surtees immediately withdrew Dolhem from the race.

 

Jose would have passed into obscurity again, exceptfor one personal fact I found quite interesting. As He was the Half brother &And first cousin) of future Formula 1 racer Didier Pironi.

 

Dolhem was killed in a light plane accident at Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert Loire Saint-Etienne on April 16, 1988 at Age 43. Ironically dying just eight months after Pironi (Age 35) succumbed during an Offshore Powerboat race near the Isle of Wight. While both Dolhem and Pironi are buried together in the same plot in Southern France.

 

David Charles Purley, born on January 26, 1945 in Bognor Regis, Sussex, England, led a most colourful life. From surviving a British Army  parachute training exercise when His parachute didn’t open! No Lucas Electric Jokes Here, Yall! To surviving a massive “G” loading crash, to ultimately dying in a small plane accident.

 

David’s father was the proprietor of LEC Refrigeration in Jolly ‘Ol England, which Purley would run under the banner of during His brief Formula 1 career.

 

David made His Formula 1 debut in the 1973 Monaco Grand Prix, making eleven entries between 1973 to 1977. With a best finish of ninth in the 1973 Italian Grand Prix during His seven starts.

 

Purley is most renown for His gallant but fruitless attempt to rescue countryman and F1 competitor Roger Williamson at the ‘73 Dutch Grand Prix. For which He was subsequently awarded the George medal for His bravery and valour.

 

Whilst Purley also survived a Mega’ high G-Force accident at Silverstone in 1977. Incurring an estimated G-Force deceleration of 180 G’s, when going from 108mph to 0mph in just over one foot (26-inches) due to a stuck throttle!

 

Following retirement from F1, He took up acrobatic flying and unfortunately, was killed in His Pitts Special Acrobatic Biplane in July, 1985. Crashing into the English Channel at Age 40.

 

Austrian Harald Ertl is another of the countless unknown F1 drivers that litter the History books. Born in 1948, Ertl went to the same school that fellow Austrian racers Jochen Rindt, Niki “The Rat” Lauda and Der Helmut’, aka Dr. Helmut Marco attended…

 

Ertl was most definitely an F1 Journeyman driver, plying His trade between 1975 to 1980. Making a total of 19 starts from 38 entries – a 50% “strike” rate.

 

Arguably, Ertl’s claim to fame is being one of the four drivers who pulled Lauda from His Ferrari at the Nurburgring in 1976. When Ertl, Brett Lunger, who was collected by Lauda’s careening racecar. Guy Edwards and Arturo Merzario rescued Lauda from the inferno His Ferrari was engulfed in!

 

Ertl, a motorsports Journalist did find success in Touring Cars before dying at Age 33 on April 7, 1982. When the small plane He was traveling in experienced engine problems… 

Japan’s Next Wave?

Although will any of these prospects succeed to the Pinnicle of Motorsport?

 

As my working title was Japanese Drivers Logjam…

 

Japan has a long, storied history with formula 1. As the very first Japanese driver to Enter a international Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) sanctioned race fifty years ago was Hiroshi Fushida, who failed on both of His entries with the uncompetitive Maki Engineering F101 normally aspirated 3.0-liter Ford-Cosworth DFV V-8 racecar.

 

Hiroshi’s Cossie’ lump’ “Done blown Up!” at that year’s Dutch Grand Prix, for which the team didn’t have a spare motor! And then He failed to qualify (DNQ) at the 1975 British Grand Prix.

 

Hiroshi also contested the SCCA’s Can Am and Trans Am series Stateside. And made history alongside countryman Tetsu Ikuzawa, when they became the first two Japanese drivers to compete in the 24 Heurs du Mans. Driving a Mazda  Wankel rotary powered Sigma MS73 (SARD) in the 1973 event.

 

Japan’s first Formula 1 race was the epic 1976 Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji Speedway, where a further four Japanese drivers entered their country’s inaugural Grand Prix; Masahiro Hasemi, Kazuyoshi Hoshino, Masani Kuwashina and Noritake Takahara.

 

Although reputedly Kuwashina’s sponsorship Cheque failed to materialize, scratching Him from competing, i.e. DNS. (Did Not Start) Being replaced by Hans Binder.

 

Whilst Hasemi, Hoshino and Takahara all contested the race, becoming Japan’s first three Formula 1 drivers. Although I’d surmise this accomplishment was totally overshadowed by that year’s Mega’ F1 Drivers championship showdown between Niki Lauda and Jame Hunt, which is wonderfully documented in ‘lil Ronnie Howard’sexcellent Rush movie…

 

Kazuyoshi Hoshino’s nickname was “The Fastest Man in Japan”, which is pretty “Heady” suff!

 

Reportedly there have been 21 Japanese drivers to attempt a Grand Prix to date, with 18 making starts. Which I won’t attempt chronicling! Other than three have stood on the third step of the podium. First Aguri Suzuki in1990. Followed by arguably Japan’s “Greatest” driver Takuma sato in 2004. And finally K-Squared’, aka Kamui Kobayashi in 2012. With Kamui now firmly established as a Sports Car star; including a World Endurance Championship (WEC) title and 24 Heurs du Mans and Rolex 24 wins to His credit.

 

Currently, Yuki Tsunoda is the only Japanese driver competing in Formula 1, entering His fifth season driving for thee ‘lil bullz’, aka Racing Bulls. Which you’d have to say that Tsunoda’s inclusion in Formula 1 is backed by Red Bull’s engine, Err Power Unit (PU) supplier Honda. Even if Honda “withdrew” from full Factory F1 involvement at the end of 2021.

 

Yuki did finish a very respectable fourth overall in FIA Formula 3, and third overall in Formula 2 with Four poles and three wins before graduating to then AlphaTauri in 2021. Yet with Honda becoming Aston Martin’s Werk’s PU supplier beginning next year, the only option I “See” for Tsunoda is becoming one of Aston Martin’s reserve drivers.

 

But Felipe Drugovich, the 2022 FIA F2 champion has been the team’s reserve driver since 2023. And obviously neither Fernando Alonso or Lance Stroll seem intent on departing Formula 1 anytime soon…

 

Ironically, Tsunoda turns 25 one day after Helio Castroneves 50th birthday on May 10th…

 

Ritomo Miyata who turns 26 this August, appears to be Japan’s best bet for joining the F1 Circus in the future. As Miyata will contest His sophomore season of F2 this year driving for ART Grand Prix. (#15) Having finished P19 overall last year for Rodin Motorsport.

 

Ritomo is a member of the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Driver Challenge programme, along with being a multiple title winner. Having won both the Super formula and Super GT Championships in 2023. Along with the 2020 Super Formula Lights and 2016-2017 Japanese Formula 4 titles.

 

Miyata was diagnosed with Autism early in life and is an ardent “gamer”. Having won some 500 iSports races!

 

Thanks to Toyota’s technical partnership with the Haas F1 Team, Miyata tested a Haas VF-23 at Jerez recently. Where race drivers Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman ran one day apiece, with Ritomo getting valuable “Seat-time” at the end of each day.

 

Although Miyata’s trajectory seems aimed more for eventual Hypercar duty in the WEC for Toyota, unless a seat on the Formula 1 grid opens up…

 

Although Ayumu Iwasa, who currently competes in Super Formula might have something to say about that . As the 23yr old Red Bull Junior Driver and Honda Formula Dream Project member has already tallied two seasons in formula 2. Finishing fifth and fourth overall respectively between 2022-23. And finished fifth overall last year during His rookie Super Formula campaign.

 

Ayumu helped make “Waves” at last year’s Japanese grand Prix, driving in His first Free Practice outing during FP1. Driving alongside Racing Bulls “teammate” Tsunoda. Having last tested for RB during last year’s Abu Dhabi Young Drivers test.

 

Ryo Hirakawa (Age 31) is a Toyota Werks’ (TGR) FIA World Endurance Championship driver, having won two WEC titles along with the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans. And was announced this January as an Alpine F1 test and reserve driver.

 

As I’m guessing the latter has something to do with team principal Oliver Oakes and Hitech Racing’s involvement with TGR in it’s Junior Open Wheel Racing categories. As Hitech TGR competes in both the FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 Championships.

 

Interestingly, and this is purely conjecture on my part. But this arrangement gives Toyota two possible paths to future Formula 1 involvement. But that’s just pure conjecture Folks!

 

Lastly, Kakunoshin Ohta made His IMSA GTP debut at this year’s Rolex 24 as part of Meyer shank Racing’s No. 93 Acura ARX06 entry. As the 25yr old Japanese Sports Car driver will also drive the No. 93 at this year’s Watkins Glen and Indianapolis endurance rounds.

 

Kakunoshin also recently tested for era Motorsports, aboard it’s No. 18 LMP2 entry during the Pre-Sebring 12 Hours test in February. And was slated to ad further LMP2 outing to His busy 2025 schedule.

 

Then naturally, as I was putting this story to bed, word came that indeed Ohta would race for Era Motorsports at both the Sebring 12 Hours and later Road America races in the LMP2 category. With HRC US further cementing it’s “ties” with Era Motorsports in a collabourative effort to promote young Japanese drivers to Sports car racing. As Era has already restored previous Acura Sports Car prototypes for Historic Racing…

 

This is just further speculation. But with HRC US (Honda Racing Corporation) President David Salters recently noting how Honda would like to take it’s Acura GTP racecar to Le Mans, could we see Iwasa or Ohta as part of the drivers lineup? 

Presenting the 2025 Formula 1 Rookies Class

But who’ll come out on top. And who’ll perform best overall in their respective F1 careers?

 

Can the 2023 Formula 1 season really be that long ago? Or is it just due to the immeasurably long 24 Grands Prix calendar? That its hard to remember just two years ago we had four “Fresh Faced” F1 rookies on the grid.

 

Whilst I realize it’s a totally different era, but fifty years ago, there were 18 F1 rookies, including the three who failed to qualify. With a total of 63 drivers attempting to participate that season, Youza!

 

Whilst I’ll freely admit I know very little about any of this quintet ‘O aspiring Formula 1 drivers…

 

Gabriel Bortoleto

Team: Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber

Nationality: Brazilian

Birthplace: Osasco, Sao Paolo

DOB: October 14, 2004; Age: 20

Car No. 5

 

Interestingly, Gabriel’s father is the CEO and co-owner of Brazil’s Stock Car Pro series. Not to mention coming from a wealthy family, with part of their fortunes coming from creating an internet company that merged with Vero in 2023.

 

The family also runs the KTF Racing team in Stock Cars and Karting, and Gabriel’s elder brother Enzo formerly raced in F4 and British F3…

 

Gabriel began Karting at age seven and made His single seater debut in 2020, in the Italian Formula 4 series. Which seems to be one of the main proving grounds for aspiring racers

 

After stints in the Formula Regional European and Formula Asia series, Bortoleto graduated to the FIA formula 3 Championship, driving for Trident in 2023. He got off to a strong start with an early win, and led the championship until the season’s end. Winning the title with two victories in His maiden campaign.

 

For 2024, Gabriel moved up to FIA Formula 2, driving for Invicta Virtuosi Racing, alongside Alpine Academy driver Kush Maini.

 

Gabriel fought all season long vs. Isack Hadjar for the title, scoring His first Feature race win at Austria. And then becoming the first Formula 2 driver to win from last place at Monza.

 

Entering the season finale on Yas Isle, bortoleto led Hajar by 0.5 point! Increased to a four point lead following the Sprint race. Then finishing Vice, Err runner-up on Sunday to claim the title. Becoming only the seventh rookie to win the championship and fourth to do the “double” as a rookie. Following the likes of Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Oscar Piastri.

 

Gabriel joined the McLaren Driver Development Programme between 2023-24 and is under the “tutelage” of A14 Management, owned by Fred Alonso. As McLaren released the Brazilian in order to be signed by Sauber for 2025, before becoming the Audi Werks’ F1 team in 2026.

 

Isack Hadjar

Team: Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team

Nationality: French

Birthplace: Paris, France

DOB: September 28, 2004; Age: 20

Car No. 6

 

Isack Hadjar was the final driver confirmed for the 2025 F1 season as Liam Lawson’s replacement at thee ‘lil bulls’, aka Racing bulls operation. The French born Algerian driver began Karting at age seven and made His single seater debut in 2019 in the French formula 4 series. Having first raced in the Ginetta Junior Sports car category.

 

The following year Hadjar finished third overall in the French F4 championship with three win, before graduating to the Formula Regional European and Formula Asian series. As Hadjar’s best weekend appropriately came during the Monaco outing, where He scored His first FR European win along with a runner-up finish.

 

Hadjar finished third overall in the 2022 FR Asian series driving for Hitech, before racing in that year’s FIA Formula 3 Championship also with Hitech. Where His season started off with a “Bang at Bahrain”, being declared the winner after Oliver Bearman received a time penalty.

 

Yet Hadjar who was in the title fight didhimself no favours when crashing on the final corner during qualifying in Monza, colliding with Kush Maini in the race and ultimately finishing fourth overall, before moving onto the FIA Formula 2 championship the following year.

 

Continuing with Hitech in Formual 2 where His teammate was Yank’ Jack Crawford, Isack had a typical, difficult rookie season. Finishing 14th  overall in the standings, two points behind Crawford.

 

For 2023, Hadjar switched to Campos Racing where He fought tooth ‘n nail for the championship title vs. Gabriel Bortoleto. Yet once again, the pressure was too great, as Hadjar stalled at the start of the season finale’s final Feature race!

 

As Hadjar had built up a 36 point lead with four wins prior to the Summer’s break before having to settle for vice Champion behind Bortoleto. Yet being a Red bull Junior driver beginning in 2023, it was only natural to promote Him to the Racing Bulls Formula 1 team. And I like His honesty, saying He’s scared of being a formula 1 driver! But expects to compete for reaching Qualie’s Q3 (Top 10) sessions and score points. And is even hopeful of scoring His first podium finish.

 

As this is the rookie F1 driver I know the least about, but have to say I like His bravado, and will be interested to “See” how He fares vs. established teammate Yuki Tsunoda.

 

As the legendous’ Der Helmut, aka Helmut Marco says Isack is fast but impulsive! Whilst Hadjar himself admits He’d like to drive for Red bull one day, but only if merited… 

The F1 rookie most prominently in the Spotlight

But how will He perform under such pressure?

 

Rightly or wrongly, this Italian teenager seems to have the biggest spotlight of our five Formula 1 rookies upon His shoulders this year. Presumably since He’s replacing legendous’ Sir Lewis at the Silver arrows…

 

Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Team: Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

Nationality: Italian

Birthplace: Bologna, Emilia-Romagna

DOB: August 25, 2006; Age: 18

Car No. 12

 

As I’ve already scribbled above, the youngest driver on the Formula 1 grid for 2025 is also thought to be the most sensational. Nevertheless, the young Italian will also have the most pressure to perform for Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement…

 

Andrea or Kimi’s as most are now calling Him, Father Marco is a Sports Car racer in Saloons, winning the 2018 Italian GT championship and currently runs the Family’s AMK Motorsports racing team, which has competed in the Italian F4 championship since 2022.

 

Kimi, like Gabriel Bortoleto, both claim the late Ayrton Senna as their Idol! With Antonelli having drawn inspiration from Senna’s use of the number 12 in formula 1, along with using the number during His stitnt driving for Prema in Junior formulaes.

 

Interestingly, both Antonelli and fellow F1 rookie Jack Doohan requested the No. 12 as their car number, but since Kimi asked first, He got the number ahead of Doohan…

 

Reputedly a family friend gave Antonelli’s father Marco the name Kimi in deference to that Ice Cream eating Kimi Raikkonen. Since Marco was set upon giving His son a boring middle name.

 

Thus, with All of the hyperbole out of the way, let’stake a brief gander at Kimi’s racing “CV”. (career) As Kimi also began competitive Karting at age seven, and was a prodigious Karting talent. Winning too numerous championships to chronicle, along with suffering a broken leg during a wet weather accident.

 

Antonelli was spotted by Giovanni Minardi early on , and quickly signed to Minardi Management. Before winning multiple karting titles driving for Rosberg Racing Academy. Hmm, why does it sound like He was already headed for the pinicle of motorsports so early on, Eh?

 

For 2021, Kimi made His single seater debut in Italian Formula 4 following His 15th birthday, contesting a partial season and finishing a respectable P10 overall.

 

Remaining with Prema Powerteam, Antonelli claimed both the 2022 Italian and ADAC Formula 4 championships along with a Gold Medal in the FIA Motorsports Games. As Kimi dominated the Italian F4 series with a record 13 wins, including six consecutive victories! Then followed that up by claiming the ADAC F4 title. Having amassed 26 wins, 24 poles and 37 podiums in 67 Formula 4 starts, the second most successful in F4 History!

 

The following year, He graduated to the Formula Regional European Championship, where once again He secured another title driving for Prema, along with that year’s inaugural FR Middle East Championship driving for Mumbai Falcons.

 

Thus, Kimi’s “Star” shone brightly! Having secured two titles in Formula 3, the Italian prodigy skipped the FIA formula 3 Championship, Preceding directly to FIA Formula 2 the following year, again with Prema. Where His teammate would be Ferrari Driver Academy member Oliver Bearman.

 

Reportedly Prema initially struggled with the Formula 2 Ground Effects chassis, seeing both drivers get off to a slow start. Kimi scored His maiden F2 win in the wet Silverstone Sprint race, and then clamed a Feature race win at Budapest.

 

Antonelli withdrew from the season finale Abu Dhabi F2 weekend due to illness and finished sixth overall in the championship on the back of His two wins. And then took part in the afternoon session of the post Abu Dhabi F1 Young Drivers test, where naturally He was the fastest rookie.

 

Antonelli was signed as a Mercedes Junior Driver in 2018 at age 12! Making me think of another youngster name Lewis Hamilton’s signing by thee Ronster’, aka Ron Dennis of McLaren fame Wayback’ when…

 

Antonelli got His first taste of Formula 1 machinery in April, 2019 when He drove a Mercedes W12 at the Red bull ring in Spielberg, followed by further private tests at Imola and Spa-francorchamps.

 

The “Kimi” rule, re-allowing 17 year olds to hold FIA Super licence’s, enabled Antonelli to make His Free Practice debut at Monza that fall. Antonelli set the fastest lap time before spinning at Curva Alboreto just ten minutes into the FP1 session, colliding with the tyre barriers in a 52G incident! And then participated in another F1 practice session at Mexico City. Once again incurring damage to His Mercedes chassis upon running over debris and damaging the W15’s floor…

 

Antonelli has been undergoing an extensive testing programme over the winter in preparations for His Formula 1 debut alongside team leader George Russell. And passed His public driving test just six weeks prior to the season opener at Melbourne. As Italians must be at least 18 years old before being eligible for a Drivers licence… 

Presenting the 2025 Formula 1 Senior Member Rookies

Although a total of four Grands Prix Ain’t exactly a large sample size…

 

It has been a very long times since I can recall such an abundance ‘O Formula 1 rookies joining the grid. Which according to my informal archives, last occurred nine seasons ago in 2017. As Pierre Gasly and Lance Stroll remain upon the F1 Grid. Whilst the 2019 and 2023 seasons saw four F1 rookies apiece. With 2019 featuring the top three F2 finishers: Lando Norris, George Russell and Alexander Albon. Whilst 2023 F1 rookies Liam Lawson and Oscar Piastri remain on the grid…

 

Oliver Berman

Team: MoneyGram Haas F1 Team

Nationality: United Kingdom

Birthplace: Havering, London

DOB: May 8, 2005; Age: 19

Car No. 87

 

Believe that “Ollie”, aka Oliver Bearman is still a rookie, albeit having made three starts last season, substituting for Carlos Sainz Jr. at Ferrari and Kevin Magnussen at Haas. As His three Grands Prix starts excluded Him from participating in the Post Abu Dhabi Young Drivers test.

 

Ollie’ began racing Go Karts at age seven, capping a very successful Karting career in 2020, before graduating to Single Seaters.

 

Bearman made His racecar debut in the 2020 ADAC (German) Formula 4 series and scored His maiden win at the Hockenheimring. Later that year He made His debut in the Italian F4 series and also claimed victory at Vallelunga.

 

Twenty Twenty-One was a magical year for Bearman, as the Bloody brit’ dominated the Italian F4 Championship, sweeping the title with eleven wins! And then claimed the German F4 Championship title with a further six victories.

 

The following year, Oliver graduated to the FIA formula 3 Championship, driving for Prema Racing alongside Jack Crawford and Arthur Leclerc. Bearman wound-up third overall and claimed one W’, the Sprint race at thee Mighty Spa, aka Spa-Francorchamps. He also became a Ferrari Academy driver that year.

 

For 2023, Ollie made the step up to FIA Formula 2, continuing with Prema, alongside Mercedes Junior Driver Frederik Vesti. Bearman would claim sixth in the championship with four wins, including an impressive “double” at Baku. Becoming just the fourth F3 rookie to win both Sprint and feature races on the same weekend.

 

Continuing with Prema, now partnered by Mercedes Junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Bearman had a disappointing season, finishing 12th overall with three Sprint race wins to His credit.

 

Bearman missed the Jeddah and Baku rounds due to deputizing as reserve driver in F1. First in a last minute call-up for Carlos Sainz Jr. having an emergency appendectomy, where He finished a sensational seventh for Ferrari!

 

Next Bearman scored points again as Kevin Magnussen’s substitute at Azerbaijan, where the Dane’ was serving a one race ban. Finishing P10 for Haas. Then slithered home P12 at Sao Paolo after being given a 10 second penalty for colliding with Williams Franco Colapinto.

 

Jack Doohan

Team: BWT Alpine F1 Team

Nationality: Australian

Birthplace: Gold Coast, Queensland

DOB: January 20, 2003; Age: 22

Car NO. 7

 

Yes, Jack Doohan is the son of five times GP500 Grand Prix Motorcycle World Champion Mick Doohan. Interestingly, Jack began Go Karting at age nine with a go Kart given to Him by none other than  Michael Schumacher!

 

After a successful Karting career, Jack made His single seater debut at age 15 in 2018, when competing in the F4 British championship. Racing for Arden alongside Red Bull Junior Driver Dennis Hauger, Doohan finished fith overall with three wins.

 

Next Doohan raced in the F3 Asian series, finishing Vice Champion, Er runner-up twice consecutively. Along with racing for Double R Racing in the Euro Formula Open series.

 

Doohan then graduated to the FIA formula 3 Championship for 2020, where He had less than stellar results driving for HWA Racelab. The following year He moved to Trident, where one of His teammates was David Schumacher, son of Ralf.

 

Jack made history at the Spa-Francorchamps round by becoming the first driver to win two races in a weekend. Yet ultimately lost the F3 title to Dennis Hauger; who will contest His rookie Indy NXT campaign for Andretti global this year

After contesting the final two rounds of that year’s Formula 2 season, Doohan raced His first full FIA F2 season for Virtuosi Racing alongside Marino Sato in 2022. Doohan scored three poles and three wins enroute to sixth overall in the championship.

 

For 2023, Jack remained with virtuosi and finished third overall on the strength of two poles and three victories, before leaving F2 at season’s end.

 

Having been a Red bull Junior Driver between 2017 and 2021, Doohan switched to the Alpine Academy for 2022, and got His first taste of Formula 1 machinery in Qatar that year. Making His Free Practice (FP) debut at Mexico City, and then again at Abu Dhabi. Also participating in that year’s post Abu dhabi Young Drivers test.

 

Continuing His testing duties for Alpine the following year, Jack was named as the team’s reserve driver for the 2024 F1 season, before making His Formula 1 debut at the season finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for the ousted Esteban Ocon.

 

Not sure why I felt compelled to track Doohan’s F1 debut outing, other than I suppose I was curious how He’d acquit Himself? Thus recording the following weekend’s positions, beginning with Friday’s (Free Practice) FP1 outing: P19-19-14-20-15.

 

Thus finishing 15th in His first Grand Prix, where He dorve the team’s No. 61 entry, Arse-sumedly it’s reserve car number.

 

As now the pressure surely rachets up, with the season commencing Down Under on Home soil in Bloody Melbourne, March 16^th, Righto? Where the Aussie’s will be delirious over having two of their Mates’ on the Formula 1 grid… 

Time to begin another Arduous Formula 1 season

As can somebody stop Max Blunderhead’s reign?

 

Full disclosure, I didn’t pay any Attenzione to this year’s “Winter Olympics”, ergo F1 testing at Bahrain, since I was on a Choo-choo train headed north during this three days outing. So don’t know the story lines, or how far off they are? Which we’ll get a glimpse of the “real” pecking order this coming weekend Down Under in Gory Melbourne, Mates!

 

If I’ve done my ryth-muh-tickin’ correctly? Thars’ an 80% turnover in F1 Driver lineups this season, with only two teams retaining last year’s drivers.

 

Formula 1 is true “Blood Sport”, where the first objective is to beat your teammate! Thus, one of the biggest story lines is how Lewis Hamilton does at His new team la Scuderia, aka Ferrari vs. Charles Leclerc. And how Ferrari does in general vs. its F1 Constructors Championship rivals, i.e.; McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull.

 

McLaren are the defending Constructors Champion, having won their first title since Gory 1998! And retain Lando Norris, who finished Vice-champion, Err runner-up to Max Verstappen for the Drivers Championship last year. Along with Oscar Piastri, with both McLaren drivers winning their maiden Grands Prix last season.

 

Aston Martin is the only other F1 Team staying status quo with drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. While the team’s reshuffled its engineering core, along with the arrival of Adrian Newy…

 

Mercedes has opted for the services of 18yr old F1 rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli as Hamilton’s replacement alongside George Russell.

Arse-sumedly everyone knows about Red Bull’s dismissal of Checo’, nee Sergio Perez in favour of Liam Lawson this season. As the Kiwi’ has His work cut out for Him a la All of Max Blunderhead’s (Verstappen) previous teammates! And with just eleven Grands Prix starts to His name, pretty sure this will be an uphill slog…

 

Alpine, which claimed sixth overall last season largely due to their impressive 2-3 finish at Sao Paolo. Sees Jack Doohan, who made His F1 debut at last year’s Abu Dhabi season finale join Pierre Gasly.

 

Aas sports a brand new line-up with the arrival of Esteban Ocon from Alpine, and rookie Oliver Bearman. As Bearman deputized for Carlos Sainz Jr. at Ferrari and Kevin Magnussen at Haas last year as both team’s reserve driver, and is highly rated by team principal Ayao Konatsu…

 

Racing Bulls keeps Yuki Tsunoda, who most likely is in His final season in Formula 1? Being “tied” to Honda, who become Aston Martin’s Werd’s Power Unit (PU) supplier for 2026. Where reserve driver Felipe Drugovich has been waiting years for either Alonso or Stroll Jnr’ to depart. While rookie Isack Hadjar takes Liam Lawson’s vacated seat.

 

Sauber sports an all new line-up with the arrival of Nico Hulkenberg from Haas, along with the addition of rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, before the team becomes fully rebranded as Audi in 2026.

 

Lastly, another major story line will be how much can Carlos Sainz Jr. right Willimas floundering ship? As the storied Grove based F1 team struggled Ah-Mighty’ with multiple destroyed and crash damaged chassis last year! As Sainz moves from Ferrari, having to make way for Sir Lewis.

 

Didn’t bother reading the article, but saw the headline proclaiming that current Williams driver Alexander Albon is keen to see how He stacks up against Sainz? For which I think Albon’s going to have a somewhat rude awakening!

 

Although I definitely expect for Williams to not finish last in this year’s Constructors Championship, but time will tell…

 

Meanwhile, being in the final year’s current chassis regulations, hopefully we’ll have another Cracking year of competition! Before another total reset for 2026’s E-e-E-lectrified Formula 1 racecars…

 

Notably, the single point for Fastest lap during a race has been abolished. While drivers and chassis will gain a further two kilograms minimum weight requirements. With drivers now up to 82kg, and chassis up to 800kg.

 

A driver cooling (system) Kit will be made mandatory at “Hot”, extreme Heat races, when the FIA predicts a race will be over 30.5C, with chassis minimum weight being increased a further five kilograms (805kg) to compensate for said equipment. While the Drag Reduction System’s (DRS) “Slot-gap” dimensions will be reduceds along with the DRS system’s functionality…

 

Teams will also be required to run Young Drivers during Free  Practice sessions twice per racecar, up from once previously.

 

Once again, six Sprint races will be held over the season, beginning at Shanghai. Followed by Miami, Spa-Francorchamps, Circuit Of The Americas, Sao Paolo and Qatar.

 

As that’s a very brief rundown of what to look for this Sunday; Err Saturday night Stateside at the Australian Grand Prix. Round One of an insane 24! With the season concluding on December 7th upon Yas Isle. In what will be the final season of ESPN television coverage…

 

As Always, Check your local TV listings for times and locations!