Who is more worthy of entering F1: Antonelli, Lawson or the ex-Mercedes junior?
July 4, 2024, 18:40 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Berman has already made it to the championship. Who else should we take? It’s up to you!
In recent months, insiders have been actively pushing Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Jack Duane, Lim Lawson and others to Formula 1, and just today Haas announced a multi-year deal with Oliver Berman. There is no point in arguing about the suitability of the Briton’s candidacy, but what about other young drivers? Do they deserve to be among the top 20 drivers in the world or is it too early? We have selected 10 potential newcomers to Formula 1, but you decide which of them is worthy of taking part in the “Real Races”!
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Who deserves a place in Formula 1?
Photo: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images
Liam Lawson
The New Zealand driver did not really shine in the junior series: in Formula 3 he did not get higher than fifth place at the end of the season, and in Formula 2 he only managed to finish third on his second attempt – not very impressive for a potential newcomer to Real Racing. However, as soon as Lawson moved up to adult racing, he immediately improved dramatically, at the same time demonstrating the wonders of adapting to the new technique.
In the Japanese Super Formula championship, Liam already won races in his debut season and fought for the championship. Well, the main test for Lawson last year was a call-up to Alpha Tauri: for five stages he replaced the injured Ricciardo. To his credit, Liam quickly got used to F1 and even scored points in Singapore (and also did not let Verstappen into the final qualifying segment). There was no place for Lawson in F1 this year, but it is quite possible that Helmut Marko will prefer the New Zealand junior to the elder Ricciardo when he forms Alpha Tauri’s driver line-up for next season.
Photo: Joe Portlock – Formula 1/Getty Images
Pablo Aron
For four years, the Estonian driver was included in the Mercedes junior programme, but at the end of last season the Silver Arrows stopped collaborating with Aron (logical, given that the concern is focused on Antonelli). It is ironic that it was after the split with Mercedes that Paul had the season of his life, leading the Formula 2 individual championship in his debut season. In each of the seven previous stages, Aron climbed onto the podium at least once; no one else can boast such an achievement.
Yes, Aron has practically no chance of getting into Formula 1, but we are not talking about chances here, but about whether the driver deserves to compete in the Royal Races. We believe that the title of champion of the strongest junior championship in the world, even won at the first attempt, will answer this question in the best possible way.
Photo: Joe Portlock – Formula 1/Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto
Perhaps no one has risen as quickly through the ranks of young drivers over the past two years as Gabriel Bortoleto. Last year, the Brazilian confidently took the Formula 3 title, even though he was not considered the favourite before the start of the championship, and this season he made a very decent debut in Formula 2. Gabi currently sits third in the individual competition and has a very real chance of winning the championship.
Of course, Bortoleto will find it extremely difficult to break into F1, considering that he is enrolled in the McLaren academy, which, even in the foreseeable future, will not need to update its driver line-up: the Norris-Piastri tandem is here to stay. However, this sad fact does not detract from the Brazilian’s racing exploits.
Photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images
Jack Duane
The son of the great motorcycle racer became vice-champion in Formula 3 and also took bronze in Formula 2, both times at the second attempt. Overall, the Australian’s results are not very impressive, but he clearly does not lack talent. Moreover, at least last year, Duen clearly suffered from the so-called “engine lottery”: towards the end of the championship, he miraculously transformed himself and began to collect victories, right after changing the engine.
Currently, it is Douin who can be considered the main asset of the Alpine academy and, considering that the drivers are “eager” to join the French team, Jack could well become Pierre Gasly’s partner in the coming years. In the meantime, the Australian serves as a reserve driver, doing laps in the simulator, waiting for his chance.
Photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images
Theo Pourcher
At one point, Pourcher’s chances of making it to F1 seemed quite tangible: the Frenchman became vice-champion of Formula 3, after which he very quickly made his start in Formula 2. However, Theo was able to clinch the title of the main youth championship on the planet only at the third attempt, which, of course, is not particularly appreciated by the bosses of the formula teams.
However, the French driver did achieve results in the junior teams, although not immediately. He also demonstrated the ability to quickly adapt to new technologies, making his debut in IndyCar quite successfully this year. Unfortunately, Pourcher did not manage to stay in the “American formula”. Today the Frenchman has to be content with the status of “reservist” at Kick-Sauber.
Photo: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
At 17, the weight of what is perhaps Mercedes’ main hope has fallen on the shoulders of the Italian driver. According to experts, the German consortium’s management will become Antonelli Russell’s partner almost next year. Whether Mercedes is in a hurry is an open question, but there is no doubt that Antonelli is a highly talented driver.
Andrea Kimi has won titles in the Italian and German Formula 4 championships, and also won the FRMEC and FRECA championships at his first attempt. Well, this year the 17-year-old looks pretty decent compared to much more experienced drivers in Formula 2, even though Antonelli has never raced even in three-wheel drive before.
Photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Felipe Drugovich
Drugovich confidently became the Formula 2 champion in 2022, but this achievement did not give much impetus to his career. Although no, Felipe twice received very specific offers from IndyCar, but on both occasions the Brazilian turned them down. As you can understand, Drugovich has only one goal: to reach Formula 1.
Since winning the F2 title, he has hardly raced anywhere (just this year he entered the ELMS championship and also drove the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Cadillac), serving as a reserve driver for Aston Martin. Sitting on the bench has a negative impact on Drugovich’s prospects, but he still has little chance of making it to F1 – you never know, Alonso will suddenly lose his temper and break his contract with Aston Martin. Felipe is sometimes referred to as a backup option for Williams and Kick-Sauber.
Photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Isaac Hadjar
Last year, Hadjar made an unconvincing debut in Formula 2, which somewhat blurred the impression of his previous exploits in the junior teams. However, this year the Frenchman has fully rehabilitated himself. Today he is fighting hard for the title, being the only driver in the championship to have more than one victory in the main races.
Hajjar is occasionally called up for Friday practice in F1, which suggests that the Frenchman may have some prospects for the Royal Races. Perhaps today Isak can be called one of the two Red Bull Academy drivers who have a real chance of ending up in Formula 1.
Photo: Joe Portlock – Formula 1/Getty Images
Zane Maloney
At the beginning of his career, Maloney showed quite acceptable results: he took the title in British Formula 4 and almost became the champion in three-wheeled vehicles at the first attempt. Following the latter, he joined the Red Bull academy, but did not last long in the Bulls’ junior programme: Helmut Marko was most likely embarrassed by the Barbadian’s unconvincing debut in Formula 2.
Earlier this year, Zane joined the Sauber academy, after which he made an impressive start to the new F2 season – there is no connection here except the fact that he is in the junior programme of a formula team, coupled with his rapid progress, cannot but increase the driver’s chances of taking part in the “Real Races”. Currently, Maloney is in fourth place in the individual standings, maintaining his chances of winning the championship.
Photo: James Sutton – Formula 1/Getty Images
Franco Colapinto
After the failed experiment with Logan Sargent at Williams, it is unlikely that they will risk promoting the young “academy” to F1 in the coming years. But if anyone is going to change the mind of the Blues management, it will be Franco Colapinto. The Argentine did not particularly shine in Formula 3, but in the first half of his debut season in Formula 2 he seriously increased his share of the driver market: fifth place in individual competition at the halfway point of the championship. If Colapinto continues in the same spirit, it is quite possible that Williams will give him a chance in Formula 1 in one or two years.
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