The 2024 season was a sort of reminder: yes, reserve drivers can have their chance and yes, some are even quite efficient when they answer the call of their team! Last year, for example, Oliver Bearman fulfilled this role three times (once with Ferrari, twice with Haas) and scored points twice. In fewer Grands Prix, Franco Colapinto had scored four points with Williams, compared to zero for the driver he replaced, Logan Sargeant.
In short, the role of reserve driver is not to be taken lightly: the third driver says he follows the team on all (or most if there are several reserves) trips during the season and must be ready to put on the suit and get behind the wheel if a driver has to withdraw at the last minute, or if he cannot take part in the weekend (suspension, injury, dismissal from the team, etc.). Generally, reserve drivers are young drivers who are biding their time in Formula 1… but they can also be experienced drivers who bring all their knowledge of the discipline to help the team progress, on site and in the simulator.
Almost a month before the first winter tests in Bahrain (February 26-28), a few teams have already formalized their reserve drivers for the 2025 season. This is particularly the case for Alpine which has not announced either one, not two, but three (!) reserve drivers in 2025 with Paul Aron, Ryo Hirakawa (who will participate in EL1 at Suzuka) and finally Franco Colapinto. The former Williams driver was recruited by the French team as a 3rd driver… but the Argentinian could quickly be promoted to the starting position if the Australian does not perform quickly enough.
Besides Alpine, two teams have formalized their reserve driver: Mercedes will reunite with its former driver Valtteri Bottas, who is returning to the German house after the end of his adventure with Sauber, and Aston Martin which has confirmed Felipe Drugovich as a reserve for a third consecutive season, alongside Stoffel Vandoorne. For the other teams, nothing has yet been made official, but we can assume certain names. At Ferrari for example, Antonio Giovinazzi and Arthur Leclerc, already reserves in 2024, should be reappointed to this position. For Racing Bulls, Ayumu Iwasa could also return, although Arvid Lindblad could be promoted to the role of reserve during the season.
F1 2025
Reserve pilots
McLaren : ???????? Pato O'Ward
Ferrari : ???????? Antonio Giovinazzi / ???????? Arthur Leclerc
Red Bull : N.C.
Mercedes : ???????? Valtteri Bottas
Aston Martin : ???????? Felipe Drugovich / ???????? Stoffel Vandoorne
Alpine : ???????? Franco Colapinto / ???????? Paul Aaron / ???????? Ryo Hirakawa
Haas : N.C.
Racing Bulls : ???????? Ayumu Iwasa
Williams : N.C.
Sauber : N.C.
(in italics: to be confirmed)
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