Key rookie advantages identified ahead of high F1 turnover

F1 mechanic-turned-pundit Marc Priestley has outlined why he believes rookies are so attractive to teams at the moment, with six drivers on the 2025 grid embarking on their first full season in the championship.

After the F1 field remained unchanged from the end of 2023 to the start of last year, there has been a significant market correction, with 30 percent of the grid different from the same time 12 months ago. 

Of the 10 teams in F1, only two - McLaren and Aston Martin - have retained the same driver line-up.

There were also a number of replacement and stand-in drivers over the course of the previous campaign, from Franco Colapinto and Liam Lawson to Oliver Bearman and Jack Doohan.

Priestley, who was a mechanic at McLaren from 2000 to 2009, believes part of the allure of rookies is how affordable they are compared to established drivers.

Further still, their desire to succeed and cement their place in the championship means they are potentially more motivated to perform well, according to the 48-year-old.

"If you're an F1 team looking for a cheaper option than an already established driver, these rookies are a dream as they don't demand as much and are usually more hungry and keen to race," he explained to Casino Uden Rofus.

"They're willing to arrange commitments with sponsorships and more.

"The rookies will do anything you'd need them to do."

It is widely accepted that the rookies breaking into F1 are better prepared than ever before, something that is allowing them to hit the ground running and quickly find the expected pace.

Priestley highlighted how this was not the case a decade ago, when drivers often needed longer to bed in.

"Ollie Bearman was perhaps the first high-profile example of a rookie doing well in F1 when he got that opportunity in the Ferrari with no notice," he said. "Liam Lawson has done well before too.

"The way F1 is run now, with access to simulators, psychologists, physical trainers and nutritionists, makes rookies ready for the big move in their careers. This was not happening 10 years ago."