Max Verstappen Names the Two “Raw Talents” of F1’s 2025 Rookie Class
Max Verstappen selected the two best rookie drivers from 2025 that possessed great raw talent to succeed in Formula 1 in the near future.
Follow Us
Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli (via Red Bull)
🔍 Explore this post with:
The 2025 season of Formula 1 witnessed multiple rookies battling on track against some of the very experienced drivers in the sport. The rookies went up against the likes of Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso, and held up well. Now, the runner-up of the 2025 season title, Verstappen, selected two raw talents among the rookies who impressed him and many others following their performances on track.
Max Verstappen was lauded as a great mentor for all the rookies by Kimi Antonelli following the former’s heartwarming attitude towards them. Verstappen doesn’t care about others and helps the young generation coming into the pinnacle of motorsport. Even during accidents, the Dutchman does not lash out at the rookies, despite losing on points massively.
Now, selecting the best rookie out of all in the 2025 season was certainly not an easy task for Max Verstappen. According to him, he noted that all the rookies impressed the grid at certain times. Verstappen noted that they did make mistakes, which was understandable for the young drivers. The four-time champion understands that it is typical for rookies not to be completely consistent and commit mistakes on track.
That’s hard to say. They have all impressed at certain times. And again, as rookies, they made their mistakes. That’s typical for a rookie. So nobody was completely consistent, but you shouldn’t expect that from a rookie either.
Max Verstappen told Viaplay.
However, when forced to select a couple of rookies among others, Max Verstappen selected Kimi Antonelli and Gabriel Bortoleto. He added that the two drivers possessed great raw talent and were looking at a promising career in the pinnacle of motorsport. However, neither drivers were involved in the standings list curated by the team principals, which the four-time champion topped unequivocally.
I think Bortoleto along with Kimi are really the raw talents in terms of potential.
Max Verstappen added.
Max Verstappen claims he gets along with the ‘super nice’ rookies naturally
One can argue that Max Verstappen has more of a motherly instinct when it comes to dealing with the rookies in Formula 1. The Dutchman believes that this ability comes naturally to him, as the young drivers are also reciprocating the love and respect he gives them. Verstappen reckoned that he did not ask the rookies to specifically come to him for suggestions.
However, being one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 mean that the rookies naturally find an affection towards him. Max Verstappen highlighted that the young generation also raced a little on simulators, which meant he further felt connected with them. Verstappen explained that the incoming generation of drivers were very nice and hence he got along very well with them.
No, not really. It’s also not that I necessarily asked for that. But that just goes very naturally now. Those guys also come a bit from the sim world. You know each other a bit from that. Then you already have a bit more of a connection. Of course they are a lot younger than me, but they are just really nice. Then I’m not going to be blunt. They’re just super nice guys, and I just get along with that.
Max Verstappen noted.
The 2026 season will feature Arvid Lindblad as the only rookie, racing for Racing Bulls. The British driver with Indian origins has been part of Red Bull for some time, and hence Max Verstappen will always be there to help him when times get tough. Apart from this, he will be joined by Isack Hadjar at Red Bull who will be in his sophomore year in Formula 1 following his debut with RB as well.
Read More: George Russell Named the Closest Challenger to Max Verstappen in 2026 Title Odds
/techfirstnow/media/agency_attachments/kATjCXskQdJKkXN0OuqW.png)