Formula 1 is poised to welcome two rookies to its ranks in 2025, following a season devoid of any full-time young newcomers - a situation that has drawn widespread critique.
Kimi Antonelli is emerging as a strong contender, seen by many within the sport as Toto Wolff's preferred choice to fill Lewis Hamilton's seat at Mercedes, should long-shot Max Verstappen not join the team.
In Melbourne, Wolff hinted at Antonelli's inevitable Formula 1 debut, stating, "But I don't know whether it will be next year and then if it will be with us."
Speculation is rife that Antonelli might step into Logan Sargeant's role at Williams, a team powered by Mercedes engines and currently managed by Wolff's ex-colleague, James Vowles.
"We have to see how much he (Sargeant) progresses as the season goes on," Vowles remarked.
Regarding the early buzz around Antonelli joining Williams, Vowles also noted, "I believe in investing in youth, but we're fortunate enough to have juniors of our own."
"I have no doubt that Kimi will be in F1, but that doesn't mean he'll be at Williams, necessarily."
Another fresh face potentially gracing the 2025 grid is Oliver Bearman, an 18-year-old Ferrari academy driver and Antonelli's teammate at Prema in Formula 2.
Bearman's last-minute substitution for the sick Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia has sparked discussions about him securing a seat with the Ferrari-affiliated Haas team next year.
Haas' current lineup includes seasoned racers Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg. Magnussen, when probed about the Bearman rumors, stated, "You know, I think we have a very good dynamic in the team. We're working really well together."
"I think the journey we're on as a team means it's helpful having experienced drivers, but it's obviously out of my control."
Hulkenberg also weighed in, suggesting, "I think it's too early to say that he (Bearman) is a candidate. I think for him, first of all, he needs to focus on his performance in Formula 2."
"If he is not good there, his race in Jeddah will be forgotten in a couple of days. You know how it works in our sport," added the German.
Ferrari's chief, Frederic Vasseur, mirrored Hulkenberg's sentiment, remarking in Melbourne that it's "far too early" to guarantee Bearman's Formula 1 future.
"Now he has to be focused on F2 and I'm sure that all the journalists, the press and so on will draw a conclusion after the end of the championship. He did very well in Jeddah but we have to take it step by step," he said.
