All the back-up drivers for 2025

System 1 groups are effectively underway getting ready for the forthcoming 2025 marketing campaign, which is able to encompass 24 grands prix starting in Melbourne on the 14-16 March.

The grid is about and all however two groups – McLaren and Aston Martin – have modified their driver line-up, that means this yr may have a brand new look.

However it’s not simply the full-time rivals that play a vital position, as a crew’s back-up driver does as effectively.

Reserve drivers act on standby throughout grand prix weekends and should contest one ought to a crew’s common driver be unable to. This occurred on the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, for instance, as Oliver Bearman replaced Carlos Sainz at Ferrari because the Spaniard had appendicitis. 

F1 groups additionally make use of simulator drivers, who check modifications made to the automobile so that everyone can acquire a higher understanding of the machine.

So, who’re the drivers supporting their crew behind the scenes for 2025?

Crimson Bull

• Reserve driver: TBC
• Simulation driver: Rudy van Buren

Liam Lawson served as Crimson Bull’s reserve driver firstly of the 2024 season, however then he replaced Daniel Ricciardo at sister squad RB – now Racing Bulls – for October’s United States Grand Prix onwards.

The New Zealander soon received another promotion, as he will be Max Verstappen’s team-mate at Red Bull in 2025 after Sergio Perez was dropped by the Austrian outfit. This implies Crimson Bull is presently with out an official reserve driver, although Lawson’s former team-mate Yuki Tsunoda is predicted to step into the position. 

In the meantime, Rudy van Buren will proceed as Crimson Bull’s simulator check and growth driver after becoming a member of in 2023.

Mercedes

Valtteri Bottas has returned to Mercedes for the 2025 season, however in a reserve driver capability having been Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate from 2017 to 2021. The ten-time grand prix winner left for Alfa Romeo – now Sauber – having been changed by George Russell, who was beforehand at Williams after graduating to F1 as a Mercedes junior.

However the Swiss outfit opted for an all-new line-up this yr forward of its Audi takeover in 2026, leaving Bottas with out a drive. So, in December 2024 Mercedes introduced that the Finn was again with the Silver Arrows changing former reserve Mick Schumacher, who’s a part of Alpine’s Hypercar programme.

Sharing the position with Bottas is the 2023 F2 championship runner-up Frederik Vesti, who began the place final yr having turn out to be a Mercedes junior in 2021.

Ferrari 

Zhou Guanyu has joined Ferrari as its reserve driver for 2025, having been a part of its academy between 2015 and 2018. He initially left to turn out to be Renault’s growth driver in 2019 earlier than making his F1 debut with Alfa Romeo in 2022 however, like Bottas, he was dropped by the Hinwil-based outfit for this yr. 

He’ll work alongside Antonio Giovinazzi, who was Zhou’s predecessor at Alfa Romeo. The Italian turned Ferrari’s reserve driver in 2022 and Giovinazzi additionally competes for the historic model within the World Endurance Championship, the place he received the 2023 Le Mans 24 Hours.

Concerning Ferrari’s growth drivers, that features Arthur Leclerc who joined in 2024. He’s the youthful brother of full-time Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and is joined by Antonio Fuoco and Davide Rigon.

Zhou Guanyu, Ferrari reserve driver

Picture by: Ferrari

McLaren 

McLaren is but to announce who its reserve drivers for 2025 are, with earlier incumbent Ryo Hirakawa leaving the post to fulfil the same duty at Alpine. However Arrow McLaren IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward has beforehand contested F1 follow classes for the Woking-based crew, so it’s probably he’ll proceed his commitments.

McLaren additionally employs Will Stevens, who spends a number of time within the crew’s simulator the place he works intently with the engineers and common drivers.

Aston Martin 

Aston Martin has retained Felipe Drugovich and Stoffel Vandoorne as its reserve drivers for 2025. Beforehand the crew was capable of name on the reserves of engine accomplice Mercedes in case of an emergency however in more moderen years, Aston Martin has launched its personal reserve drivers. 

Whereas Vandoorne joined from Mercedes in November 2022, Drugovich has graduated from the Aston Martin driver growth programme and the 2022 F2 champion has labored with the squad since 2023.

Felipe Drugovich, Aston Martin F1 Workforce

Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Alpine

• Reserve driver: Paul Aron, Ryo Hirakawa and Franco Colapinto

Jack Doohan will contest his first, full marketing campaign in F1 this yr after serving as Alpine’s reserve driver in 2024 earlier than changing Esteban Ocon on the Abu Dhabi season finale.

Consequently, Alpine has introduced Paul Aron, Ryo Hirakawa and Franco Colapinto as its reserve drivers for 2025.

Aron had a stellar F2 marketing campaign final yr, ending third to champion Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar, whereas Hirakawa has joined from McLaren the place he held the same position.

There’s extra hype round Colapinto although, who made his – comparatively surprising – F1 debut in Monza 2024 having changed Logan Sargeant at Williams. He impressed instantly ending twelfth earlier than taking factors at his second grand prix in Azerbaijan with eighth.

However Williams had already introduced Carlos Sainz as Alex Albon’s team-mate for 2025, so there was no full-time seat for Colapinto. Consequently, he was snapped up by Alpine on a multi-year deal, the place a spot could quickly open up for the younger Argentine given Doohan’s unsecure future.

Williams

• Reserve driver: TBC
• Growth driver: Jamie Chadwick

Williams doesn’t presently make use of its personal reserve driver, as earlier incumbent Colapinto has left for a similar position at Alpine after impressing for the British squad in his nine-round stint final yr.

Jamie Chadwick, in the meantime, serves as its growth driver after becoming a member of Williams in 2019 which is the yr she clinched her first of three W Collection titles.

Jamie Chadwick, Williams

Picture by: Williams

Racing Bulls

Hadjar served as Racing Bull’s reserve driver final yr, when it was often called RB. However following Lawson’s promotion, Hadjar will accomplice Tsunoda for his rookie season leaving Racing Bulls presently with out an official reserve driver.

Contemplating its shut ties with Crimson Bull although, the Faenza-based squad can name on whomever is within the Crimson Bull pool.

Sauber

Zane Maloney and Theo Pourchaire have left the Sauber set-up since performing as reserve drivers final yr. The Swiss outfit is but to verify who will help its all-new line-up of Nico Hulkenberg and Bortoleto earlier than the squad morphs into the Audi works crew in 2026.

Haas

Haas can be but to announce its reserve driver for 2025 having promoted earlier incumbent Bearman to a full-time seat on the American squad. One possibility might be Pietro Fittipaldi although, because the grandson of double world champion Emerson joined the crew in 2019 and in that point has began two races because of Romain Grosjean’s crash on the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix.