Isack Hadjar Overlooked as FIA Rookie of the Year Goes to F3 Champion Rafael Camara
Despite a podium and a promotion to Red Bull Racing for 2026, Isack Hadjar was not named FIA Rookie of the Year. The award went to 2025 Formula 3 champion Rafael Camara, continuing a trend of honoring feeder series title winners over F1 debutants.
Red Bull's newly-promoted F1 driver Isack Hadjar was passed over for the FIA Rookie of the Year award, with the honor instead going to 2025 Formula 3 champion Rafael Camara at the annual prize-giving gala. Hadjar, who secured a podium and scored over half of Racing Bulls' points in his debut F1 season, will partner Max Verstappen in 2026 but was not recognized by the FIA for his efforts.
Why it matters:
The FIA Rookie of the Year award is a prestigious accolade that historically spotlights future stars, with past winners including Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Oscar Piastri. Hadjar's omission despite a standout F1 debut—which earned him a promotion to the senior Red Bull team—highlights the award's criteria, which often favors championship-winning performances in feeder series over immediate F1 impact. This decision underscores the ongoing debate about how to best measure a rookie's success across different racing categories.
The details:
- Hadjar's 2025 Season: The French-Algerian driver scored 51 points for Racing Bulls, helping the team secure sixth in the constructors' championship. He claimed his maiden podium with a third-place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix.
- The Winner: Rafael Camara, a 20-year-old Brazilian Ferrari junior, won the F3 title in his debut season with four victories. He will graduate to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing in 2026.
- Award Precedent: The last F1 debutant to win the award was Oscar Piastri in 2023. The award has frequently gone to drivers who won the F2 or F3 championship in the same year, as Camara did.
- Other Notable Rookies: The 2025 season featured several impressive debutants. Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli scored three podiums and a sprint pole, while Ferrari's Oliver Bearman consistently outperformed his Haas teammate Esteban Ocon.
The big picture:
The award outcome reflects a pattern where success in a championship-winning campaign in a primary feeder series often trumps a solid, points-scoring debut in F1 itself. With Hadjar, Antonelli, and Bearman all delivering strong rookie F1 seasons, the depth of the 2025 rookie class is notable. However, the FIA's choice to honor Camara keeps the award's focus on crowning achievement in the junior categories, maintaining its role as a bridge between the feeder series and the top tier.
What's next:
All eyes will be on how these rookies develop. Hadjar faces the immense challenge of partnering Verstappen at Red Bull. Camara's progression in F2 will be closely watched as he continues on the Ferrari development path. Meanwhile, Antonelli and Bearman will aim to build on their promising debut seasons. The 2026 grid will showcase the talent of this deep rookie class, with their performances ultimately validating or questioning the FIA's selection criteria.