F1 fans deliver overwhelming Stake verdict - but it could be proven wrong

Although widely expected to again bring up the rear of the F1 field in 2025, Stake has one of the most interesting driver line-ups on the grid.

When people talk about the blend of experience and youth in sport, the combination of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto is exactly the kind of fusion they have in mind.

In the former, the future Audi team gets a shrewd operator with a proven track record in F1. Whilst already 37 years old, the German has been one of the championship's stand-out performers over the past two seasons and is rightly expected to lead the team.

However, alongside him is one of the most exciting talents to break through in recent years. Bortoleto, who is Brazil's first full-time F1 driver since Felipe Nasr left the same team, then Sauber, at the end of 2016, could be a nuisance to Hulkenberg, despite public opinion.

As part of a series, RacingNews365 asked readers which driver they believed would come out on top from each of the 10 partnerships on the grid in 2025.

Over 85 per cent of respondents chose experience over youth, with Hulkenberg being massively backed to secure more points over the season to come.

Full result below. Article continues underneath.

Analysis

It is hard to argue against the results, given the excellent form Hulkenberg has displayed since returning to F1 with Haas in 2023, but I will.

The German driver blew team-mate Kevin Magnussen away at the American outfit and is showing no signs of losing his tenacity and guile.

Even at 37 years old, he has been particularly strong in qualifying and will be energised by the opportunity to prove his worth to the Audi project.

The decisiveness of the poll results, however, is nonetheless a surprise given Bortoleto's reputation and pedigree.

Make no mistake, beating Hulkenberg straight out of the gate will be a formidable challenge for the 20-year-old, but he has the potential and ability to scale the very highest echelons of F1.

That is something Hulkenberg, who is the most experienced F1 driver of all time without a podium, has never been able to achieve.

Bortoleto won both the FIA F3 and F2 championships at the first time of asking, emulating Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Oscar Piastri in the process - not bad company to be in.

Those were campaigns built on consistency and a strong one-lap pace. In F3, he achieved the highest average qualifying position. Last year, in F2, he took two wins and six podium finishes in a highly unpredictable season.

This is exemplified by the fact that 18 drivers took victories across the 28 races. And, further still, Bortoleto impressively scored points in 20 of the final 22 of those.

Do not get me wrong, expect Hulkenberg to enjoy the initial upper hand, but across a year where points will be at a premium for the pair, the Brazilian has every chance of pipping his more experienced team-mate come season's end.

Verdict: Gabriel Bortoleto