With only 20 spots available on the F1 grid, how long should a rookie be given to prove why they belong at the pinnacle of motorsport?
Liam Lawson’s impressive debut in Formula 1 has brought up the ongoing conversation of how much time a rookie deserves to prove themself in Formula 1. Stepping up into Formula 1 is a daunting task for anyone and when we look at this year’s crop of new faces, it’s clear to see that some have hit the ground running whilst others have struggled to get going.
The removal of Nyck De Vries just 10 races into the season perfectly illustrates how quickly the landscape of F1 can change. Despite Red Bull making somewhat of a reputation for themselves when it comes to the rapid replacement of their young drivers, there is no hard and fast rule dictating how long a rookie deserves in F1.
Whilst some drivers have failed to make the cut, others such as Sargeant have been provided with ample opportunities to showcase their talent. The only American driver on the grid has had a turbulent rookie season, to say the least. Sargeant has struggled to keep up with his teammate throughout the season and has racked up a substantial amount of damage in 2023. Williams have recently admitted that despite Sargeant’s costly crashes, they would ideally like the 22-year-old to remain in their car for 2024, but does he deserve the seat based on his rookie season?
What is expected of a rookie driver?
The rise of the rookies in recent years have assisted in elevating our expectation of drivers taking the step up into Formula 1. We have seen drivers such as Verstappen, Leclerc, and Russell translate their success in the junior categories into Formula 1. A rookie driver’s ability to perform in their debut season has now become the general benchmark as drivers of the past have shown that this is possible.
Although each team will have its own individual benchmark, the expectation for a rookie to remain close to their teammate is another significant indicator of how well they’re doing in their debut season.
Have the 2023 rookies earned their place in F1?
The 2023 rookies have been a mixed bag, the likes of De Vries and Sargeant have struggled to stay afloat in the world of Formula 1, whilst their peers have only gone from strength to strength.
Lawson and Piastri have shown that 1 year is enough time for a driver to show why they deserve to remain on the F1 grid. Both drivers have managed to close the gap to their teammates over the course of the season, with Lawson going on to beat Tsunoda in Japan and McLaren renewing Piastri’s contract until the end of 2026.
The argument that rookies need a few years to find their feet doesn’t hold up when we look at the success that some of the 2023 rookies have had. Whilst it may take several years for a driver to reach their full potential, their debut season will indicate whether they possess the natural talent required to succeed in Formula 1.
