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Reserve driver round-up: Who could drive for which team in '25?
- Ludo van Denderen
Experienced in Formula 1, fast and almost always available. Those seem to be the three minimum requirements for a reserve driver in Formula 1 nowadays. Whereas in the past, teams mainly relied on young, inexperienced talents when a full-time driver suddenly needed to be replaced, the top teams in particular look for experienced drivers. Who gets to drive where? GPblog completed the list for you - as far as we know.
Perhaps Yuki Tsunoda will see his dream come true during the 2025 season after all. Indeed, the full-time driver for Racing Bulls will be the first reserve if someone drops out at Red Bull Racing. Not a young talent for Max Verstappen's team, but someone with years of experience in F1 who should step in. Incidentally, Racing Bulls will opt for a rookie, Ayumu Iwasa (possibly with Arvid Lindblad alongside him) if the a weekend-long substitution needs to take place.
Valtteri Bottas broadly employable
Mercedes opt for experience. Experienced driver Valtteri Bottas has returned to the old nest as a reserve. Moreover, it is not out of the question that Bottas might end up driving a Grand Prix for McLaren or another one of his previous teams, Williams - should those teams ask. Mercedes would probably not say 'no' to that. The Germans also have Frederik Vesti under contract as a possible substitute.
So McLaren could knock on Mercedes' door - although no agreements have been finalised at the moment. The Woking-based team had previously appointed Pato O'Ward as their reserve driver, but the Mexican also competes in IndyCar and isn't available every Grand Prix.
Ferrari have Antonio Giovinazzi on their payroll, but the Italian has a seat at the Italians' WEC team in addition to his work as a reserve driver. The Scuderia are reportedly still interested in the services of Guanyu Zhou, the Chinese driver who competed for Sauber in recent seasons. Zhou is also in the picture at Cadillac, where his former agent as team manager is preparing the Americans to enter F1 in 2026.
Midfield teams have more clarity
Aston Martin have Stoffel Vandoorne and Felipe Drugovich as reserve drivers, although the latter was linked to Sauber. That rumour has since been denied. Sauber are still looking for a reserve driver for 2025. Perhaps their existing relationship with Ferrari could possibly help, should it come to that.
Alpine even have three reserve drivers signed already: Franco Colapinto, Paul Aron and Ryo Hirakawa. Of this list, Colapinto is first choice if a substitute is needed. Toyota-protégé Hirakawa could also step in at Haas, should Esteban Ocon or Oliver Bearman be unable to drive.
Williams are yet to announce a reserve driver following the departure Colapinto. As mentioned, the British team could possibly turn to Mercedes to have Bottas in their car.
This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sárközi
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