Ten rookies made F1 weekend debut in 2022, but who impressed?

The 2022 season was an important year not only for Formula 1 drivers, but also for rookies in the sport. With the FIA's new rule, F1 teams were obliged to use two free practice sessions with a young driver. In total, as many as 10 drivers made their debut during a Grand Prix weekend in 2022, but who left the best impression?

Due to the new 'rookie' rule in F1, all teams are required to have young drivers during two first free practice session during the season. As the rookies are mainly used to collect data, it is difficult to judge the pace of the inexperienced drivers, but together with the Young Driver test in Abu Dhabi at the end of the season, there is something to be said about the future of rookies in F1.

Two rookies manage to impress

The man who obviously made the most impression last season is Nyck de Vries. Not surprisingly, the Dutchman received an offer from AlphaTauri for the 2023 season. In his free practice sessions with Williams, De Vries managed to beat his teammate Nicholas Latifi and with Mercedes he had a strong performance in France with a ninth place. Of course, his best result was his race in Italy as Alexander Albon's replacement, where he managed to score points for Williams. Next season, it will be up to the 27-year-old driver to show that he is good enough for a spot in Formula 1.

Logan Sargeant is the second and final rookie to have secured a seat. The American also made his debut on a Grand Prix weekend in 2022. Perhaps Sargeant was a bit lucky with De Vries' choice to leave for AlphaTauri, but the rookie has gained the confidence of Williams. In the Young Driver Test, Sargeant finished seventh, just behind his new teammate Alexander Albon. During his second and final free practice in Abu Dhabi, the American also did not do badly with a 15th time. The impression he left was good enough to secure himself a seat at Williams, now it is up to him to keep it that way.

Number one talent?

Jack Doohan is the man who, following Oscar Piastri's departure from Alpine, is probably the biggest talent within Alpine's Junior Academy. With Piastri set to drive for McLaren in 2023, a spot at the French team becomes vacant as a reserve driver. Although the Australian finished only 19th during his practice session in Mexico, he proved during the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi that he can keep pace with the field. Doohan was six tenths off the time of Pierre Gasly, Alpine's new addition. With the team no longer having another talented driver ready to go, there may be more opportunities for Doohan in the future. Alpine is confident that compatriots Gasly and Esteban Ocon can remain friendly and will work together, but given the past between the two Frenchmen, it would not be a surprise if things go awry. Doohan will be first in line if the team has to look for a solution.

With his Formula 2 title in his pocket, Felipe Drugovich was quickly brought in by Aston Martin as the team's first official development driver. That includes the role as reserve driver for the upcoming season. In Abu Dhabi, he got to take a seat in the Aston Martin car for the first time, so it is not very surprising that the Brazilian finished in last place. During the Young Driver Test, Fernando Alonso also had to get used to his new car, but Drugovich was only three tenths away from the experienced Spaniard's time. Alonso does not seem to be planning to leave F1 for now, and Lance Stroll is also guaranteed a seat as long as his father remains part of the team. Still, with his new role within the team, Drugovich may take a good step towards a future in the sport.

Young drivers can compete

Of all the rookies in 2022, Liam Lawson produced perhaps the best performance during the free practice sessions. After two practice sessions with AlphaTauri, finishing 16th and 19th, he was allowed to take a seat in Max Verstappen's RB18 in Abu Dhabi. There, the Australian managed to record a handsome fifth time, three tenths behind Sergio Perez. There is no spot with Red Bull Racing's sister team for next season, but so far Lawson seems to be the most promising junior driver. If Yuki Tsunoda and De Vries fail to convince in 2023, doors may open for Lawson at AlphaTauri.

Robert Shwartzman is also definitely a promising talent in motorsport. The Ferrari junior competed during the first free practice in Austin and Abu Dhabi. He improved from 16th place in America to seventh time in Abu Dhabi. The Israeli also proved during the Young Driver Test that he can keep up with the pace of his peers. Indeed, Shwartzman finished third behind Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. Whether it will be enough to secure a spot in F1 in the future, however, remains to be seen. He managed to win Formula 3 in 2019, but in Formula 2 he did not get beyond a fourth place in his first season and a second place in 2021. However, now that Mick Schumacher has left the Ferrari Academy, Shwartzman is the most familiar name among the drivers. For now, at least, there is no room at Ferrari with Sainz and Leclerc's long-term contracts.

Patience is a virtue

IndyCar drivers Alex Palou and Pato O'Ward continue to dream of F1, but earning a super licence is not easy in the American racing class. The two drivers are trusted by McLaren and have been allowed to drive an F1 car several times in 2022. Palou will also be the British team's reserve driver in 2023. However, they will have to be patient if they want to make their F1 dream come true, as with young drivers Lando Norris and Piastri, McLaren is full for now. With both having just one free practice under their belt, there is also no telling yet whether the IndyCar talents are good enough for F1.

Alfa Romeo junior Theo Pourchaire also only participated in one practice session in 2022, where he finished 18th. During the Young Driver Test, the Frenchman finished in the very last place, although that is not saying much either. With the future takeover of Audi, it remains to be seen whether Pourchaire retains his spot at Sauber, as Audi is more interested in bringing in German drivers for the team.

The tenth and final rookie to make his debut in 2022 was Juri Vips, but we can be brief about his F1 adventure. The Estonian made his debut with Red Bull Racing at the Spanish Grand Prix. Compared to Lawson's strong result in Abu Dhabi, the last place for Vips was not very spectacular. The chances of seeing the Estonian back at Red Bull are nil, as the team terminated his contract after a racist remark during a livestream on Twitch.