2025 Australian GP Qualifying recap: How did the F1 rookies perform in their maiden race?

The 2025 Australian Grand Prix qualifying is over, we still have the main race left. But before that, let us go back to the qualifying and see how the F1 debutants performed in their maiden race of the year. Yes, we are talking about the five rookies racing this 2025 season: Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, Isack Hadjar, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Jack Doohan.

F1 Rookies' Performance in 2025 Australian GP Qualifying

5. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - P15

The youngest driver on the grid, Kimi Antonell, didn’t have a fairy tale season start as he was eliminated in the first qualifying session. He is the only driver with the most powerful machine, yet he didn't feature inside the top 10. 

The Italian lost time in the third sector, which has some tough turns and gravel areas. His teammate, George Russell, qualified as the fourth fastest, and Mercedes will be looking for a different strategy to finish inside the points table in tomorrow's race.

4. Oliver Bearman (Haas) - P20

He is the last driver on the grid, and the Haas F1 car has many issues, from balance to race pace. After having a big shunt at the practice session, Oliver Bearman was out of the final practice session. He came straight into qualifying but still had issues in his car, so he decided to retire after just one out lap. 

3. Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) - P15

The 2024 F2 world champion had a decent weekend in Australia as he outpaced his teammate Nico Hulkenberg in every session. He even qualified for the Q2, but Hamilton’s yellow flag has cost him his chance of getting into the final qualifying session.

2. Jack Doohan (Alpine) - P14

The Australian is in the most critical position among all the rookie drivers. As uncertainty surrounds his F1 career, his Australian Grand Prix was pretty impressive. But like Bortoleto, Hamilton’s yellow flag in sector 3 cost him more time. But let’s wish him all the best to perform well in his home Grand Prix.

1. Isack Hadjar (VACRB) - P11

The best rookie among all was Isack Hadjar, as the F2 runner-up was too impressive. At one point, he even beat the reigning world champion and Red Bull driver, Max Verstappen. But in Q2, he went wide along the kerb, which cost him some time and pushed him out of Q3. But we are expecting him to finish inside the points table tomorrow. 

Also Read: 2025 Australian GP Qualifying results: Lando Norris sets Albert Park on fire, Oscar and Max on the podium