The increase in the number of Grand Prix on the calendar has led Formula 1 teams to pay more attention to the role of reserve driver. Teams are aware that with a season of 24 Grand Prix, the likelihood that a regular driver may be unable to take to the track is something that cannot be ruled out.
Last year, Oliver Bearman turned his career around with the opportunity he got at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, a weekend during which Carlos Sainz was sidelined by an appendicitis attack.
Bearman was also called up at the last minute for the Brazilian GP after a strong flu sidelined Kevin Magnussen, and previously ‘Ollie’ (this time with proper notice) replaced Magnussen during the Baku weekend, after the Dane was penalized for exceeding the 12-point penalty threshold on his license during the Monza round.
For Bearman, the reserve role was crucial, a chance he took advantage of brilliantly, managing to make the leap to a full-time position at the start of the upcoming season with Haas. But statistics show that his case remains an exception.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, many teams have had to revise their plans due to six young drivers being promoted to full-time roles. Some teams have combined the ‘reserve driver’ role with that of a ‘rookie’ (who will be involved in the four mandatory FP1 sessions required by the new sporting regulations), but the trend is to have an experienced reserve available who, in case of need, can help the team limit damage.
By separating the reserve driver from the rookie and the need to schedule four FP1 sessions for debutants, a slightly different puzzle has taken shape compared to previous seasons.
In recent weeks, Zhou Guanyu’s phone has been ringing frequently, confirming the need for several teams to have an experienced driver available without other commitments. Those who have a reserve driver committed full-time in WEC or Indycar will have to deal with many scheduling conflicts, a tricky problem that in some cases is still far from being solved. Here are the various cases.
McLaren
The world champion team places a lot of faith in Pato O’Ward. The Mexican is a rookie but has already completed several tests and knows the team well. O’Ward will be the driver for the four FP1 sessions, but the team will need other solutions for the reserve role in the early part of the season due to his full-time commitment in Indycar. The intention is to share a ‘reserve’ driver with other teams, but Will Stevens is also in the picture, and he will be among the drivers alternating on the simulator during race weekends.
Ferrari
The departure of Robert Shwartzman, who concluded his collaboration with the Scuderia, has promoted Arthur Leclerc and Antonio Fuoco as the main rookies, who will share the FP1 sessions. The reserve driver role is assigned to Antonio Giovinazzi, who will be present at all Grand Prix that do not conflict with the WEC season.
In a scenario similar to what happened last year in Jeddah (with the last-minute call-up of Oliver Bearman on Saturday morning), it will be Giovinazzi who will step into the car. However, if a regular driver’s absence is known in advance, the plan is to use Oliver Bearman. At Maranello, it’s not ruled out that a driver with F1 experience could be recruited to alternate with Giovinazzi on weekends when Antonio cannot be on track, a figure that closely resembles Zhou Guanyu.
Red Bull/Racing Bulls
As is customary at Red Bull, there is an abundance of drivers. For both teams, the main rookie will be Ayumu Iwasa, while the two Racing Bulls drivers are available if Verstappen or Lawson are unable to race.
If Racing Bull needs a driver for a race weekend, Iwasa will be called up. Meanwhile, F2 drivers Pepe Marti and, especially, Arvid Lindblad, who will turn 18 next August, will be closely monitored. It’s possible that by the end of the season, some FP1 sessions may be assigned to these two young drivers.
Mercedes
Clear roles at Mercedes. The reserve driver is the experienced Valtteri Bottas, a reliable option for the team if they need his presence. Although there have been no official announcements, it is not excluded that Bottas could also share the reserve driver role with McLaren if needed. The rookie role is assigned to Frederick Vesti, who has already had the opportunity to drive for the team.
Williams/Alpine/Aston Martin/Haas/Sauber
Despite what is being said, both teams share the possibility of using Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver. On the rookie front, Williams’ solid choice is Luke Browning, while Alpine will be able to choose between Paul Aron and newcomer Rio Hirakawa.
Aston Martin recently confirmed Felipe Drugovich in both roles, rookie and reserve, while Sauber has not yet announced its lineup. Haas can rely on its connection with Ferrari, so Giovinazzi is available as a reserve, while the rookie program for the team has yet to be defined.
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