The Formula 1 grid for 2025 is taking shape, and while much of the focus is on the confirmed driver lineups, the crucial role of reserve drivers is also being solidified. These are the individuals ready to jump into the cockpit at a moment’s notice, should a regular driver be unable to race due to illness, injury, or unforeseen circumstances. For teams, having a strong lineup of reserve drivers is not just a contingency plan; it’s a strategic asset that can make or break a season.
Several teams have already announced their reserve driver plans for the upcoming season, revealing a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talents eager to prove their worth. This year’s reserve pool is particularly interesting, with familiar faces returning to former teams and rising stars waiting in the wings for their opportunity to shine.
Ferrari recently confirmed their reserve driver pairing, with Antonio Giovinazzi and Zhou Guanyu sharing responsibilities. Notably, Valtteri Bottas, after his tenure with Sauber, is making a return to Mercedes as their reserve driver. Aston Martin continues with Felipe Drugovich in their reserve role, highlighting the importance teams place on continuity and readily available talent.
The unpredictable nature of Formula 1 means that reserve drivers can be thrust into the spotlight with little warning. Oliver Bearman’s impressive debut at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, replacing Carlos Sainz, serves as a stark reminder of the impact a reserve driver can make. Bearman’s performance not only earned him plaudits but also a full-time race seat with Haas for 2025, demonstrating the potential pathway from reserve driver to racing star.
Similarly, Nyck de Vries’ strong showing for Williams at Monza in 2022 led to a full-time contract with AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls), and Liam Lawson’s commendable drives replacing the injured Daniel Ricciardo in 2023 solidified his reputation and eventual full-time opportunity. These examples underscore the high stakes and potential rewards associated with the reserve driver role in Formula 1.
Beyond race weekend availability, reserve drivers play a vital role in team development. They contribute significantly to simulator work, aiding in the testing of new components and setup configurations. Furthermore, F1 regulations mandate that teams must allocate two free practice sessions per year to young drivers, often providing reserve drivers with valuable track time in current F1 machinery.
The duties of an F1 reserve driver can vary significantly between teams. Some teams utilize “super-subs” from other racing categories like IndyCar or the World Endurance Championship, while others prioritize drivers who are regularly integrated with the team, participating in simulator sessions and team meetings. Teams like Haas and Williams, which are customer teams, sometimes have the option to draw upon the reserve driver pools of their engine suppliers, such as Ferrari and Mercedes, creating a dynamic and interconnected system of driver talent within Formula 1.
With the 2025 season on the horizon, let’s delve into the confirmed reserve driver lineups for each team, examining the experience and potential they bring to the paddock.
Red Bull
Reserve driver: TBC
Red Bull Racing yet to confirm their reserve driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Red Bull Racing is currently the only team yet to officially announce their reserve driver for the 2025 season. This leaves speculation open regarding who might be called upon should Max Verstappen or his teammate need to be replaced.
Previously, Liam Lawson served as Red Bull’s reserve driver before being promoted to a full-time seat with Racing Bulls. Another potential candidate, Isack Hadjar, who is also part of the Red Bull junior program, has similarly secured a full-time seat with Racing Bulls.
Looking at the Red Bull junior driver pool, Ayumu Iwasa and Pepe Marti emerge as potential candidates. Iwasa impressed in Super Formula in 2024, while Marti showed promise in Formula 3. Another outside possibility could be Jak Crawford, who has previous experience in FP1 sessions, further showcasing the depth of talent within the Red Bull system. The team’s decision will be closely watched as they aim to maintain their competitive edge.
Mercedes
Reserve driver: Valtteri Bottas
Valtteri Bottas returns to Mercedes as reserve driver, bringing valuable experience to the team.
In a significant move, Valtteri Bottas is set to return to Mercedes as their reserve driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season. This marks a reunion between Bottas and the team he raced for from 2017 to 2021, a period of considerable success for both parties.
Bottas’s return brings a wealth of experience to Mercedes, particularly valuable as the team fields a relatively young driver lineup consisting of George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli. His prior five seasons with Mercedes saw him secure 10 Grand Prix victories, 20 pole positions, and 67 podium finishes, establishing him as a consistent and reliable performer.
Team Principal Toto Wolff emphasized Bottas’s value to Mercedes, stating, “His technical feedback and input were important in helping us to those successes and pushing the team forward. Not only that, but he was also a fantastic colleague and team member. In his role as reserve driver, all those qualities will be incredibly important in helping us compete for world championships and supporting both George and Kimi on track.”
While a full-time return to Mercedes might be unlikely, Bottas’s presence as a reserve driver provides a strong safety net. Should either Russell or Antonelli be unable to race, Mercedes has a proven race winner ready to step in and deliver valuable points. This strategic move highlights Mercedes’ commitment to having both talent and experience readily available. The keyword Mercedes F1 Reserve Drivers is perfectly embodied by Bottas’s return, showcasing the team’s focus on securing top-tier backup options.
Ferrari
Reserve drivers: Zhou Guanyu and Antonio Giovinazzi
Ferrari boasts a strong reserve driver lineup with Zhou Guanyu and Antonio Giovinazzi for the 2025 season.
Ferrari has arguably assembled one of the most robust reserve driver lineups in Formula 1 for 2025, featuring Zhou Guanyu and Antonio Giovinazzi. This pairing provides Ferrari with a blend of recent F1 experience and deep-rooted familiarity with the team.
Zhou Guanyu’s return to Ferrari marks a homecoming, having been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy from 2015 to 2018. Prior to his stint with Sauber, Zhou honed his skills within the Ferrari system, making his transition back seamless. As China’s first F1 driver, Zhou brings a unique perspective and has demonstrated respectable performance during his time in Formula 1.
Antonio Giovinazzi continues his role as a Ferrari reserve driver, a position he has held since 2017, with a racing stint for Alfa Romeo-Sauber in between. Giovinazzi’s ongoing commitment to Ferrari, combined with his success in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, underscores his versatility and value to the team.
Ferrari’s choice of Zhou and Giovinazzi offers them not just capable replacements but also drivers deeply familiar with the Ferrari ethos and operations. This experienced reserve bench complements their already formidable driver pairing of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, solidifying Ferrari’s overall strength for the 2025 season.
Aston Martin
Reserve driver: Felipe Drugovich
Felipe Drugovich continues as Aston Martin’s reserve driver, a testament to his talent and potential.
Aston Martin has confirmed that Felipe Drugovich will continue as their reserve driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season. The 2022 Formula 2 Champion joined Aston Martin’s newly established young driver program in 2023, and has since become an integral part of the team.
Drugovich’s dominant 2022 F2 season, marked by multiple feature race wins and an early championship victory, showcased his undeniable talent and potential for Formula 1. Despite limited full-time seat availability in F1, Aston Martin recognized his value and secured him as their reserve.
Throughout his time as reserve driver, Drugovich has participated in FP1 sessions, gaining valuable experience in F1 machinery. His impressive performance in FP1 sessions, including finishing second fastest at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, has kept him on the radar of several teams.
However, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll seemingly secure in their race seats at Aston Martin, Drugovich’s path to a full-time drive with the team remains unclear. Nevertheless, his continued presence as reserve driver provides Aston Martin with a highly capable and race-ready option should the need arise. Drugovich represents the aspirations of many young drivers aiming to break into Formula 1, and his role at Aston Martin keeps that dream alive.
McLaren
Reserve drivers: TBC
McLaren Racing is yet to announce their reserve driver plans for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
McLaren is yet to announce their reserve driver lineup for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Historically, McLaren, as a Mercedes engine customer, has often utilized reserve drivers from other teams, particularly Mercedes.
In the past, McLaren has called upon drivers like Mick Schumacher and Felipe Drugovich as reserve options. However, under CEO Zak Brown, McLaren has shown a desire to broaden their horizons and explore talent beyond the conventional F1 pathways.
Last year, McLaren utilized IndyCar star Pato O’Ward as a reserve driver, showcasing their willingness to look to other racing series for talent. O’Ward has participated in test sessions and FP1 sessions for McLaren, demonstrating his capability in F1 machinery.
Given their existing engine partnership with Mercedes, which extends to 2030, McLaren may again look towards Mercedes’ reserve pool or continue to explore options like O’Ward from IndyCar. Their final decision will reflect their strategic approach to driver talent and their contingency planning for the upcoming season.
Alpine
Reserve drivers: Franco Colapinto, Ryo Hirakawa and Paul Aron
Alpine F1 Team will utilize a blend of youth and experience in their 2025 reserve driver lineup.
Alpine has opted for a diverse reserve driver lineup for 2025, blending experience and youth with the appointments of Ryo Hirakawa, Paul Aron, and Franco Colapinto. This trio offers Alpine a range of skills and backgrounds to draw upon.
Ryo Hirakawa, with his extensive experience in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and title-winning campaigns with Toyota, brings a wealth of racing pedigree. Hirakawa previously served as a development driver for McLaren in 2024 and has already participated in FP1 sessions. His experience in endurance racing provides a different skillset that could be beneficial to Alpine.
Paul Aron, a product of the Alpine junior academy and a strong performer in Formula 2, represents the youth element in Alpine’s reserve lineup. Aron has already gained experience in F1 machinery during the Abu Dhabi post-season test and is expected to participate in FP1 sessions in 2025, further developing his F1 readiness.
Franco Colapinto, a former Williams junior driver, is a notable addition to Alpine’s reserve pool. Colapinto impressed during his time with Williams and is highly regarded by Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore. There are even rumors suggesting Colapinto could be in contention for a race seat at Alpine in the future, making his reserve driver role particularly significant.
Alpine’s combination of Hirakawa, Aron, and Colapinto provides them with a well-rounded and strategically chosen group of reserve drivers for the 2025 season.
Racing Bulls
Reserve drivers: TBC
Racing Bulls, under Red Bull’s guidance, can draw from a large pool of talented junior drivers for reserve roles.
Racing Bulls, operating under the Red Bull umbrella, has the flexibility of drawing upon the extensive Red Bull Junior Team program for reserve drivers. While they haven’t officially named specific reserve drivers for 2025, they have access to a deep pool of talent.
With Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar, previously top contenders for reserve roles, now securing full-time race seats within the Red Bull system, the focus shifts to other promising juniors. Ayumu Iwasa, Pepe Marti, and Jak Crawford are likely candidates who could be called upon should the need arise.
Jak Crawford already has experience in FP1 sessions, making him a viable option. The strength of the Red Bull Junior Team program ensures that Racing Bulls has readily available and well-prepared drivers to fill any unexpected vacancies. This strategic advantage, inherent in the Red Bull structure, provides Racing Bulls with robust contingency planning.
Sauber
Reserve drivers: TBC
Sauber F1 Team has several options for reserve drivers as they approach Audi’s takeover.
Sauber, as they transition towards becoming the Audi factory team in 2026, has a range of options for their 2025 reserve driver lineup. Their own junior driver program and external talent pools provide flexibility.
Theo Pourchaire stands out as a leading candidate, given his success in Formula 2, where he won the 2023 championship. Pourchaire has been associated with Sauber for some time and represents a logical choice for a reserve role. Despite occasional appearances in Super Formula and IndyCar, he remains closely linked to Sauber and could be called upon if needed.
Zane Maloney is another strong contender. Having joined the Sauber Academy in 2024, Maloney has shown significant promise, particularly in Formula 2. His impressive rookie season and early wins in the 2024 F2 season highlight his potential and make him a valuable asset within the Sauber system.
Sauber’s reserve driver decision for 2025 will likely balance experience and future potential, as they strategically prepare for the Audi era. Both Pourchaire and Maloney represent compelling options for the team.
Williams
Reserve drivers: TBC
Williams Racing may utilize Mercedes’ reserve driver pool or draw from their own junior program.
Williams, as a Mercedes customer team, often leverages Mercedes’ reserve driver pool. Historically, they have been able to call upon Mercedes-affiliated drivers like Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne, showcasing the benefits of this partnership.
In 2022, Nyck de Vries famously stepped in for Alex Albon at Monza, demonstrating the effectiveness of this arrangement. However, Williams has also shown interest in developing their own talent pipeline.
Franco Colapinto, despite now being with Alpine, was previously a Williams junior driver and impressed during FP1 outings for the team. Although he is no longer officially a Williams reserve, his prior association and existing relationship could make him a potential option in certain circumstances.
Williams’ approach to reserve drivers in 2025 will likely depend on the availability of Mercedes’ reserves and their own internal driver development strategy. They have the flexibility to utilize external talent or promote from within their junior program.
Haas
Reserve drivers: TBC
Haas F1 Team is evaluating options for their 2025 reserve driver, potentially looking beyond familiar faces.
Haas has traditionally relied on Pietro Fittipaldi as their official reserve driver for the past three seasons. Fittipaldi, with his experience and family legacy in motorsport, has been a consistent presence for Haas, participating in FP1 sessions and providing a reliable backup option.
However, with Oliver Bearman, who previously served as a Ferrari reserve driver and was also available to Haas, now securing a full-time race seat with Haas for 2025, Team Principal Ayao Komatsu may consider broadening their search for a reserve driver.
While Fittipaldi’s contract was extended for 2024, Haas has not yet announced their plans for 2025. Komatsu’s statement suggests a willingness to explore a wider range of options to find the best possible reserve driver for the team, potentially looking beyond familiar faces like Fittipaldi. Haas’s decision will indicate their strategic priorities for driver depth and contingency planning moving forward.
