The NextGen has arrived in Formula 1

“We are witnessing a generational shift in Formula 1, with young drivers capable of making an immediate impact,” metaphorically stated Gernot Dollner, CEO of Audi and Sauber Motorsport, in the official announcement released on November 6th, where Sauber confirmed the signing of Gabriel Bortoleto as an official driver for the 2025 season. These words solidified what was previously just a perception: the NextGen has arrived in Formula 1. In the upcoming season, it is very likely that seven out of ten teams will have at least one driver born in 2000 or later. Five have already been confirmed: Oscar Piastri for McLaren (2001), Andrea Kimi Antonelli for Mercedes (2006), Oliver Bearman for Haas (2005), Jack Doohan for Alpine (2003), and Gabriel Bortoleto for Sauber (2004). Technically, Red Bull does not have a driver born in 2000 or later on paper for 2025, but barring unexpected surprises, Sergio Perez will likely be replaced by either Liam Lawson (2002) or Franco Colapinto (2003). Whichever of the two does not become Max Verstappen’s teammate will likely be the second official driver for the Visa Cash App RB F1 Team alongside Yuki Tsunoda.

The three teams without NextGen drivers for 2025 are Williams, Ferrari, and Aston Martin. Interestingly, not only do these teams lack drivers born after 2000, but two of them will field the two oldest drivers on the grid: Ferrari with Lewis Hamilton (1985) and Aston Martin with Fernando Alonso (1981). When Alonso debuted in Formula 1 in 2001, no members of the NextGen were even born. However, in Liberty Media’s constant efforts to make F1 more spectacular by creating storylines, the presence of two veterans like Hamilton and Alonso serves as the perfect hook to craft a narrative of the old guard versus the new wave. And even if this dynamic doesn’t play out on the track, it’s easy to bet it will be one of the stories cultivated in Drive to Survive. For now, it’s hard to predict the trajectories these new NextGen drivers might take. While awaiting updates from Red Bull, it’s fair to believe that only Andrea Kimi Antonelli with Mercedes has a real shot at immediately competing for top positions race after race, with legitimate podium or even victory ambitions. The others will likely have to battle for mid-field positions.

This assessment excludes Oscar Piastri, who, while born after 2000, will begin his third F1 season in 2025 driving a car that already allowed him to claim his first victory this season. The early signs are promising nonetheless. NextGen rookies who have already had a chance to experience F1, like Bearman, Colapinto, and Lawson, have shown they can hold their own against more established drivers and even score points. Moreover, their performances have convinced team principals to cut ties or refrain from re-signing highly experienced drivers. This brings us back to the initial point: to secure Bortoleto, Sauber decided not to extend the current contract with Valtteri Bottas. Similarly, at Red Bull, the poor performances of Daniel Ricciardo with Visa Cash App RB F1 Team prompted management to give Lawson an opportunity, following the same reasoning that’s leading to Sergio Perez’s exit.