Jules Bianchi 'the best' Formula One rookie as Valtteri Bottas, Esteban Gutierrez, Giedo van der Garde and Max Chilton prepare for debuts

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Published: 13 March 2013

With five new rookies in Formula One, Motortrades Insight assesses the unknown faces of the racing drivers who will find stardom in the world's most viewed motor racing event. JULES BIANCHI, France – 1ST
He's most certainly not going to achieve results that will wow the world this season, but if the 2009 Formula Three Euroseries winner can prove he is quick in a slow Marussia-Cosworth MR02, he could attract the attention of big teams including Red Bull Racing, Ferrari, Lotus and Mercedes, with Mark Webber, Felipe Massa, Romain Grosjean and Nico Rosberg all out of contract at the end of this season. >
Having raced for ART Grand Prix in the Formula Three Euroseries in 2008 and 2009, critics should be reminded that the 22-year-old Frenchman from Nice is the team's second most successful driver in Formula Three – after Lewis Hamilton. >
Motortrades

Jules Bianchi raked up more wins in a single season than Sebastian Vettel, Paul di Resta, Nico Hulkenberg, Kamui Kobayashi, Romain Grosjean, Adrian Sutil and newcomers Valtteri Bottas and Esteban Gutierrez – all of whom raced for ART Grand Prix, owned by Frederic Vasseur and Nicolas Todt, the son of former Ferrari team principal and current FIA president Jean Todt.>
That is no easy task. So while he may be in what is most likely to be one of the least competitive cars on the Formula One grid, Jules Bianchi's career could quickly see him step into the seat of a more prolific and experienced driver – much like Sergio Perez jumping into the former seat of 2008 World Champion and 21-times grand prix winner Lewis Hamilton.>
Motortrades

To top it off, he is the grandson of Lucien Bianchi, who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1968 behind the wheel of a Ford GT40 Mk.1 for J.W. Automotive Engineering. The 19-times Formula One driver was tragically killed the following year when his Alfa Romeo T33 spun into a telegraph pole during Le Mans testing. His touching story is sure to inspire Jules Bianchi. >
Motortrades

Marussia are set to reap the rewards, having signed one of the hottest young starlets in motorsport. >
VALTTERI BOTTAS, Finland – 2ND
He's quick. The 23-year-old from Nastola in Finland could be the next Kimi Raikkonen. Having won in excess of 27 per cent of the 114 championship races in his career, and been the quickest in 30 (26.3 per cent) race meetings, we think the combination of his Scandinavian roots, speed and experience winning at Monza, Spa, the Hungaroring and Nurburgring, make him the perfect partner for Pastor Maldonado in the Renault-powered Williams FW35. >
Motortrades

Bottas (centre) is a new star in an expensive car.
ESTEBAN GUTIERREZ, Mexico – 3RD
The youngest Mexican driver to win an international championship at just 17-years-old in 2008, the 21-year-old city boy from Monterrey has joined Sauber for his debut season in Formula One. And with the Swiss-based team's impressively revamped car, Esteban Gutierrez spent more time on track than any other driver in pre-season testing – lapping up 2,768 kilometres. Despite only setting the 15th fastest time in Barcelona, his more experienced teammate Nico Hulkenburg was sixth, with a time of 1:21.541. >
Motortrades

He is only the second Mexican driver to jump into a Formula One seat, and with the success of Sergio Perez in a competitive, race-winning car, there is hope for Sauber's rookie – a remarkably consistent and quick driver who won at Silverstone, the Hungaroring and the Valencia Street Circuit to finish third overall in the GP2 Series last season. >
GIEDO VAN DER GARDE, Netherlands, 4TH
Not much is known about Caterham's new signing. At 27, he is certainly not young for a Formula One entrant. His vast track experience – with 200 championship races and a decent 40 podiums – but only nine wins – will certainly prove invaluable to the Oxfordshire-based Caterham F1 Team. >
Motortrades

Giedo van der Garde has been swimming as part of his pre-season training to cope with the stresses Formula One places on the body.
Originally part of the McLaren Young Drivers Programme, his consistency is good but nothing extraordinary. As the slowest in pre-season testing, we do not expect large accomplishments from the Dutchman.>
Motortrades

Giedo van der Garde does more than simply swim with his personal trainer.
MAX CHILTON, Great Britain, 5TH
The newest British addition to the grid, when Max Chilton makes his start in Melbourne, bookies will be paying out thousands to many who predicted years ago he would make it this far. >
Motortrades

Quite how he has managed to do so is probably due to the backing of sponsors as his results in past races are not impressive. He won just two races of the 24 in the GP2 Series last season, and in 172 championship races, he has only been the fastest in five meetings and made the podium 36 times. >
Motortrades

It is more than most drivers could ever dream of but it is certainly below the standard for a Formula One rookie. >
Motortrades

With the second-slowest time in pre-season testing – five places below his teammate Jules Bianchi – he is not quite up to speed and could find it challenging to stay motivated at the back of the grid.