How three F1 rookies reacted to reaching Q3 at F1 Austrian GP qualifying

The 2025 Formula 1 grid has plenty of rookies as five drivers are currently contesting their first, full season in the championship while Franco Colapinto is also a relative newbie. 

Some of them have impressed, particularly at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix as Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto and Andrea Kimi Antonelli all reached Q3.

So, what did they have to say after the session?

Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 6th

Lawson spoke of his relief at a strong performance in qualifying, as he finished as the highest-placed Red Bull owned car at the organisation’s home race.

The 23-year-old said: “The team has been doing a really, really good job to keep chasing it. We can’t afford to miss anything, honestly, because everybody else is making incremental gains.

“So to make a little step from practice three and put everything together and do it consistently as well through the session, was a very good feeling.

“I’m just stoked for the team, honestly, because it’s been quite a few races of strong pace in practice and good potential and then it hasn’t come together in qualifying.”

When asked about qualifying ahead of his former world champion team-mate Max Verstappen, Lawson added: “I haven’t really raced him at all, so it’s a good position. 

“Obviously, we maximised today, but I obviously don’t expect to be racing him tomorrow and some of the guys around us, but some of the guys behind, for sure, we’re going to be trying to keep there.

“It’s felt pretty good recently in the car, so to get the result is good, but it’s a long season, a lot of sessions, and even this weekend, it’s a good quali, but tomorrow’s the important day.”

Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 8th

Bortoleto believes things are starting to click at Sauber after he enjoyed a strong performance at the Red Bull Ring. The reigning F2 champion is yet to score a point in the 2025 season, but is hoping that run ends in Austria.

He said: “I feel like the track is very special for me, but for sure I’m getting more and more experience with the car and the team and the series.

“It’s just the beginning, it’s not even half of this season for me. I’ve been working very hard and understanding what I need from my side, from the car, and I feel like I’m getting more and more comfortable with it and that I know what I need before even the weekend starts.

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Photo by: Peter Fox / Getty Images

“I feel like it’s the first weekend that I’m that comfortable since FP1 and it feels like things are clicking for me and I’m going in the right direction.

“It’s very promising and hopefully we can achieve this type of qualifying every single time.

“Qualifying obviously is not easy, I feel like it’s a track that has been positive for the car and for me, but there’s a lot to work, still.

“I feel like I’m getting more confident with the car, but not only from the upgrades but also myself on understanding.

“At the beginning of the season when you jump in the car it’s basically a different feeling, it’s like every single FP1 you don’t know how the car is going to behave, but then when you get used to the car more and more you start putting it in the limits earlier in the weekend and you work more on yourself, on the driving, on the set-up and I feel like we have been going in this direction this weekend.”

Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 9th

Antonelli was disappointed after a mistake meant he was unable to have another flying lap at the end of the session.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photo by: Peter Fox / Getty Images

The 18-year-old, who claimed his maiden podium last time out in Canada, said: “I missed the flag, so I couldn’t do the last lap, so it was a shame, because I still pushed, because I thought I was still fine with the flag, and I was improving quite a lot.

“So it was a shame that I couldn’t finish the last run. But it has not been easy, just something didn’t feel quite right.

“Inside the top six was possible today, especially with that last lap if I finish, it definitely would have been much better.

“In practice the pace was good, so hopefully tomorrow will be the same. It’s a track that offers a lot of racing. So hopefully, with a good pace, we can move forward.”