Guanyu Zhou has recently ended his relationship with Ferrari in order to join Cadillac ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, while Yuki Tsunoda remains within the Red Bull organisation. With several teams now confirming their backup options, here is a complete overview of all the reserve drivers lined up for the 2026 F1 championship.
Ferrari recently announced the end of its collaboration with Guanyu Zhou, who will now take on the role of reserve driver at Cadillac. This move marks a new chapter in the Chinese driver’s career, as he prepares to support the American manufacturer during its highly anticipated entry into Formula 1. But who are the other drivers ready to step in should the race drivers be unavailable? Below is the full list of reserve drivers confirmed by the Formula 1 teams for 2026.
Tsunoda on the Red Bull “bench”
The most high-profile name among the reserve drivers is without a doubt Yuki Tsunoda. The Japanese driver, after spending several years as part of the Red Bull junior programme, was unable to secure a full-time race seat for the 2026 season. This outcome follows Red Bull’s decision to promote Isack Hadjar to a race seat alongside Max Verstappen.
As a result, Yuki Tsunoda will take on the role of reserve driver for the Milton Keynes-based team, remaining closely involved with simulator work and trackside duties. His position keeps him firmly within the Red Bull ecosystem, while he waits to see whether potential opportunities could open up again in the 2027 season.
Ferrari and Cadillac
Among the most experienced profiles is Antonio Giovinazzi, who has been confirmed as Ferrari’s reserve driver. The Italian driver has become a key figure for the Scuderia in recent years, particularly thanks to his major role in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Ferrari’s Hypercar programme.
Giovinazzi brings valuable Formula 1 experience, having competed in three full seasons with Alfa Romeo between 2019 and 2021. Beyond his racing credentials, he continues to play an important part in the development work of the Maranello-based team, contributing both through simulator sessions and technical feedback.
Another well-known name is Guanyu Zhou. After completing three seasons with Sauber from 2022 to 2024 and spending one year as Ferrari’s reserve driver, the Chinese driver is now set to perform the same role at Cadillac. His familiarity with modern Formula 1 machinery and race procedures is expected to be a useful asset for the new team as it prepares for its debut campaign.
The choices made by the other teams
There is also significant space on the 2026 grid for young talents graduating from Formula 2. Luke Browning has been selected by Williams as its reserve driver, reflecting the team’s continued focus on nurturing promising young drivers within its programme.
At Alpine, Paul Aron will fulfil the role of reserve driver, remaining closely connected to the team’s operations and ready to step in if required. McLaren, on the other hand, has opted to rely on Pato O’Ward, who continues to be a familiar figure within the team thanks to his testing duties and close links with the Woking-based squad.
Alongside these names, Frederik Vesti will serve as Mercedes’ reserve driver, reinforcing the team’s depth with a driver who has already accumulated extensive experience in both Formula 2 and Formula 1 testing environments.
The overall picture is completed by Ayumu Iwasa, who has been confirmed as Racing Bulls’ reserve driver, Jak Crawford, who will take on the same role at Aston Martin, and Ryō Hirakawa, who has been chosen by Haas as its reserve driver for the 2026 season.
The only team that has not yet officially announced its reserve driver is Audi. The German manufacturer, at least for the time being, appears intent on relying exclusively on its race line-up of Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. Any decisions regarding a dedicated reserve driver have been postponed to a later stage of the season, as Audi continues to finalise its organisational structure ahead of 2026.
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