Formula One Rookie Mid-Season Review

In the 2008 Formula One season there are five drivers on the grid facing their first full season at the top flight of motorsport. Here is a quick review of how they've done so far:

Nelson Piquet (BRA) Renault

• Average Qual. Pos: 13
• Starts: 9
• Poles: 0
• Wins: 0
• Podiums: 0
• Points: 2 

It has been a disappointing and frustrating season thus far for young Nelsinho Piquet. Thrust into the limelight this season by Flavio Briatore, many tipped the young Brazilian to rattle the cage of Fernando Alonso, having finished as runner-up to Lewis Hamilton in the 2006 GP2 season and having had a full season of testing last year.

But he has struggled from the start of '08, struggling at most races to get out of Q1 and, on some occasions, struggling to see the chequered flag at the end of the race.

To be fair, young Nelson hasn't been shouting his head off blaming others. He kept his head down and got on with it, and it does seem to have done the trick.

In France he made Q3 for the first time, and followed this with a good run during the race where he scored his first F1 points, ahead of teammate Alonso. He will be hoping this will be the turnaround he needs to keep his seat in F1 next season. 

Marks out of 10: 4

Kazuki Nakajima (JAP) Williams Toyota

• Average Qual. Pos: 14
• Starts: 9
• Poles: 0
• Wins: 0
• Podiums: 0
• Points: 8 

Kazuki has surprised many during his maiden season in F1. He made his F1 debut at the final race last year, finishing 10th. Like fellow rookie Piquet, he has his father's reputation to live up to, but he has done a solid if not spectacular job so far, scoring points in four different races and matching teammate Rosberg for both pace and points.

Still, he has had the odd erratic moment, as to be expected of a rookie. They have been few and far between, and Kazuki will be looking to establish himself over the next few races to prove he has earned his seat on talent alone and not on his nationality at the insistence of engine supplier Toyota.

Marks out of 10: 6 

Timo Glock (GER) Toyota

• Average Qual. Pos: 12
• Starts: 9
• Poles: 0
• Wins: 0
• Podiums: 0
• Points: 5 

One of the three "rookies" to have raced in F1 before this season, Glock came into 2008 possibly facing more expectations than any other rookie except Bourdais. As the reigning GP2 champion, he has had a lot to live up to after the performances of the past GP2 champions in F1—Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.

And to be fair Glock hasn't been too bad. Five points at this stage of his first season isn't a bad return, it's just that in comparison to teammate Trulli he has had a bad season. He has been out-performed and Timo knows that he will have to raise his game to prove that he is better than his predecessor at Toyota, Ralf Schumacher.

Marks out of 10: 5

Sebastien Bourdais (FRA) Toro Rosso

• Average Qual. Pos: 16
• Starts: 9
• Poles: 0
• Wins: 0
• Podiums: 0
• Points: 2 

The reigning ChampCar champion came into F1 with a lot of expectations on his shoulders. France's first full-time F1 driver in four years knew how hard it would be, having tested for STR on several occasions before. And in comparison to his teammate he has struggled.

Despite a promising first race in which he joined an elite group to score points on his F1 debut, he has never looked to be troubling the point scorers. Four retirements from nine races could be expected from a rookie, but with his experience some have been saying he should do better. Seb has the talent to prove his doubters wrong.

Marks out of 10: 4 

Sebastian Vettel (GER) Toro Rosso

• Average Qual. Pos: 14
• Starts: 9
• Poles: 0
• Wins: 0
• Podiums: 0
• Points: 5 

After a sensational finish to last season, Vettel and the team had high hopes going into '08. But at the start of the year it didn't look too good, with Seb recording four successive retirements at the first four races.

Lately, however, he has come around, scoring points in two successive races and qualifying strongly. He has probably been the most impressive of the rookies so far, and with tracks coming up that he has raced before, expect a strong showing from young Vettel towards the end of the season.

Marks out of 10: 7