#12 Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes
The hype machine surrounding Antonelli was so loud it’s a wonder he could hear his own engineers. Perhaps that’s why it took so long for the Italian wunderkind to actually show up.
The first half of his season was a muddled mess of setup errors and a lack of confidence, particularly after Mercedes introduced a rear suspension tweak that fundamentally disagreed with his driving style.
However, once the "upgrades" were tossed in the bin, the real Kimi emerged. His late-season podiums in Brazil and Vegas were reminders of his terrifying potential, even if it took him three-quarters of the year to find the "on" switch.
©Haas
#11 Oliver Bearman - Haas
Ollie Bearman might be a rookie, but he drove with the swagger of a ten-year veteran - and occasionally the recklessness of a teenager. His speed was undeniable from day one, yet he spent the early months squandering it on unforced errors, including a bizarre incident in the Silverstone pits.
The turning point was a mental reset during the summer hiatus. He returned as a more disciplined, clinical racer, snatching a career-best fourth in Mexico and showing a refined ability to handle a nervous car that his veteran teammate couldn't master.
He’s passed the audition; now we wait to see if he’s status as a future Ferrari leading man is fully justified.
