The complete list of reserve drivers in F1 for the 2025 season

As the official grid of full-time drivers for the fast-approaching 2025 season is now known, here are the reserve drivers for each team.

McLaren

Patricio O’Ward is still a driver in Indycar with McLaren and is still the only known driver as McLaren’s reserve.

Ferrari

Guanyu Zhou, a Formula 1 driver since 2022 with the Sauber team and without a seat for 2025, has found a place at Scuderia. He was a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy from 2014 to 2018.

Antonio Giovinazzi, in addition to being a driver for the Hypercar program in WEC, will also retain his role as a reserve driver for Ferrari, which means that the Chinese driver will not be the only one taking on this role.

Red Bull

The Red Bull team has a thriving junior pool, although less extensive than a few seasons ago. However, each driver from the Red Bull junior program is potentially a reserve driver for F1. Primarily, it is the Racing Bulls drivers, the second team, who will serve as reserves. A reserve driver at Racing Bulls then steps in for the main driver who goes to Red Bull. In theory, it’s Isack Hadjar and Yuki Tsunoda.

Mercedes

The return of Valtteri Bottas to the team he loved so much. « I am extremely happy to be back with Mercedes. The team continues to learn, to grow, and for some, there’s a lot of catching up to do. I will be the third pair of eyes and will be involved on all fronts: meetings, technical matters, and I can help a lot in the simulator. It will be a very different year for me, but I will be very busy as well. »

Next to him, Frederick Vesti. After excelling in karting, he began single-seater racing in 2016 and quickly demonstrated his talent. He participated in the FIA Formula 2 championship in 2023. This year, in addition to Formula 2, he will be a driver for Cadillac Whelen in IMSA 2025, which shows his ambitions in motorsport.

Aston Martin

Felipe Drugovich, the 2022 Formula 2 season champion, will continue to be a reserve driver for the Aston Martin team in 2025, while still aspiring for a place in Formula 1. He even stated: « I am obviously very happy to remain with Aston Martin for a third full season as a test and reserve driver […] I am committed to contributing to Aston Martin’s long-term success. As always, I want to thank the team for their constant support. »

Stoffel Vandoorne. The Belgian has expressed his interest in returning to Formula 1, stating that he is ready if an opportunity arises. Currently, he races in the Formula E championship with Maserati Racing.

Alpine

The French team has the largest reserve on the grid with 3 drivers.

Paul Aron, third in the 2024 FIA Formula 2 championship, had the opportunity to experience F1 with BWT Alpine Formula One Team during testing in Abu Dhabi.

Ryo Hirakawa is currently engaged with Toyota Gazoo Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

He held similar positions in Formula 1 with McLaren. He will take part in the first free practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit, riding the A525.

Before the 2024 Italian Grand Prix, it was revealed that Franco Colapinto would replace Logan Sargeant at Williams Racing for the remainder of the Formula 1 season. Franco competed in the nine remaining events, scoring points at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the United States Grand Prix.

In January, the Alpine team announced that it had reached an agreement with Williams Racing to secure the services of Franco in the context of a multi-year contract.

Williams

Oliver Turvey. The 37-year-old Englishman began as a test driver for McLaren in his youth, before moving to Formula E from 2015 to 2022.

Visa Cash App Racing Bulls

Ayumu Iwasa, a 23-year-old Japanese driver, has never experienced F1 and will be a reserve at Racing Bulls.

Haas

Kevin Magnussen, the former main driver of the American team, will be in the reserve this year.

Sauber

Unknown, to be confirmed.