Alex Albon has told his Williams team it must "capitalise" on there being six rookie drivers on the 2025 F1 grid and score big points.
The class of 2025 features three drivers that have never started a grand prix in Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), Gabriel Bortoleto (Stake) and Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar.
Ollie Bearman at Haas has three starts, Jack Doohan one for Alpine and Liam Lawson has 11 to his name as he starts his first full F1 season, at Red Bull.
Not since 2010 have six rookie started a new season, with sixth-year veteran Albon believing Williams must capitalise with its radical FW47 that was launched on February 14th.
"I think so, it is definitely an opportunity to capitalise early," Albon told select media including RacingNews365.
"We saw that with last year's car, we started with a really strong car, but the fact that it was overweight meant we couldn't capitalise on it.
"I'm hoping that we start off in a good place this year, as some drivers are getting up to speed, we can do well.
"We are both going to need to be competitive, as the grid generally this year is very strong, and especially at the start of the year, as the rookies are getting up to speed, maybe there are some opportunities there.
"I don't know what everyone else's development plan is, but of course, we have one going into next year, but, it is going to be a tight fight for everyone and that's where I'm hoping team players and two good drivers."
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Albon runs the rule
The Thai driver, set to be partnered by Carlos Sainz, also believes that despite the lack of F1 grand prix experience, some of the drivers will be immediately on the pace.
"But if I am honest, even people like Ollie, he's a rookie, but he's not really, he is going to hit the ground running," he added.
"There are only a few drivers I would consider to be true rookies, and I think Kimi is going to hit the ground running with all the mileage he's done, but he might be in our race anyway, so let's see."
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