In Last Word On Sport’s series of 2024 F1 Reviews, we turn to the rookies who each had remarkable achievements of their own this season.
The Impressive Rookies of F1
The 2024 Formula 1 season delivered plenty of unexpected twists. One of the most surprising storylines was the emergence of rookies, in a season that was initially set to have no face freshes.
Ollie Bearman drove for Ferrari and Haas, Colapinto-mania took over, Liam Lawson became a Racing Bulls driver, and Jack Doohan made his debut in the final race.
Some of these rookies will stay as official drivers in 2025, while others are still unsure about their future. But one thing is clear – the rookies were the real stars of the 2024 F1 season.
Franco Colapinto: The New Star of Williams
Since his debut with Williams, Franco Colapinto has become one of the most popular drivers on the grid.
He joined the team just before the Italian Grand Prix, replacing Logan Sargeant. That weekend in Monza, Colapinto quickly became the center of attention – not just for fans, but for top teams as well.
At the Temple of Speed, Colapinto started from P18 and climbed to P12, sparking ‘Colapinto-mania’ across the F1 world.
He delivered strong performances again in Baku and Texas, scoring his first points in Formula 1. In Azerbaijan, the rookie finished P8, while in Austin, he impressed by collecting a single point with a P10 finish.
Another standout race for the 21-year-old was in Las Vegas. Starting from the pit lane, Colapinto fought hard to finish P14, just outside the points at Sin City.
Naturally, like any rookie, Colapinto had ups and downs. The final races of the season were more challenging for the Argentine.
In Brazil, he had a DNF due to tricky car handling in the rain. His Williams ended up in the barriers midway through the race. Despite this, he battled wheel-to-wheel with Lewis Hamilton, taking on the seven-time World Champion.
He also had DNFs in Qatar and Abu Dhabi due to technical issues, making the end of the season difficult.
Overall, Colapinto’s first year in Formula 1 was positive. However, it may also be his last, as Williams has already confirmed its 2025 line-up. His future in the sport remains uncertain.
READ MORE: 2024 Formula 1 Season Review: The Perfect Storm
Jack Doohan: The New Entry Rookie
Jack Doohan made his Formula 1 debut with Alpine at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Although he was officially signed to race alongside Pierre Gasly for the 2025 season, the French team brought his debut forward to replace Esteban Ocon, who left the team early.
In his first race, Doohan qualified at the back of the grid in P20 but started P17 due to penalties for other drivers. He finished the race in P15, a solid result for his first appearance in Formula 1.
The real test of his talent will come in 2025 when he officially joins Alpine for the full season.
Liam Lawson: Red Bull’s Promise
Liam Lawson is not exactly a rookie in Formula 1. He made his debut last season as a substitute for Daniel Ricciardo, who was injured. However, he became an official Racing Bulls driver this year after the Faenza-based team parted ways with Ricciardo halfway through the season.
In his first races, Lawson showed strong race pace and delivered solid performances. He scored points in Austin and Brazil, finishing P9 in both races.
Unfortunately, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix didn’t go as planned. Although Lawson had a strong race, a pit stop error cost him dearly. The mechanics failed to properly secure his left front wheel, forcing him to drive slowly and serve a 10-second stop-go penalty.
He later had to retire due to a technical issue.
His future with Racing Bulls is uncertain. Rumours suggest Red Bull might promote him to Max Verstappen’s teammate next season, replacing Sergio Perez.
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Ollie Bearman: The Prodigy
Oliver Bearman’s journey in Formula 1 began with a remarkable debut for Ferrari at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. He replaced Carlos Sainz, who was sidelined with appendicitis. Bearman made an immediate impact, finishing P7 and winning Driver of the Day. This performance made him the youngest driver ever to score points in Formula 1 and the youngest to race for Ferrari.
Bearman also participated in FP1 sessions with Haas at Imola, Silverstone, and Hungary. The American team later confirmed him as their new driver for 2025, partnering with Ocon.
Bearman’s versatility shone again in Baku, where he replaced Haas‘ Kevin Magnussen, who was serving a race ban. He finished P10, making history as the only driver to score points for two different teams in their first two F1 races.
He continued to impress during FP1 in Mexico, driving for Ferrari. In Brazil, Bearman stepped in for Magnussen again, participating in the Free Practice sessions, Sprint Qualifying, and the Sprint race.
How the 2024 F1 Rookies Shaped the Season
The 2024 Formula 1 season brought an exciting wave of fresh talent to the grid, with rookies who exceeded expectations and made their mark in the sport.
The new faces brought a sense of energy and unpredictability.
As we look ahead, the futures of some of these rookies remain uncertain, but their performances in 2024 have certainly made them ones to watch in the years to come.
The F1 grid is in safe hands with these rising stars, and their potential to become future champions is undeniable.
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