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…
