Red Bull Racing: A Dynamic Team with Changing Roles
Red Bull Racing is gearing up for the 2025 Formula 1 season with a grid that is almost finalized, but the team is still in the process of locking down its reserve driver. Liam Lawson, who initially served as Red Bull’s reserve driver at the start of the 2024 season, was promoted to a full-time role at sister squad Racing Bulls in October 2024, following Daniel Ricciardo’s departure. Lawson’s meteoric rise has now landed him a seat alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, replacing the outgoing Sergio Perez. While Lawson’s promotion has left a vacancy in the reserve driver position, there’s speculation that Yuki Tsunoda, Lawson’s former Racing Bulls team-mate, might step into the role. Meanwhile, Rudy van Buren continues his work as the team’s simulator test and development driver, a position he has held since 2023. Van Buren’s role is crucial in testing and refining the car’s performance, ensuring that the team stays ahead in the technological race.
Mercedes: Valtteri Bottas Returns Home
Mercedes has made a notable addition to its 2025 driver lineup with the return of Valtteri Bottas as a reserve driver. Bottas, who was Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate from 2017 to 2021, left Mercedes to join Alfa Romeo (now Sauber) but was dropped after the 2024 season. In December 2024, Mercedes announced Bottas’s return to the Silver Arrows team, replacing former reserve driver Mick Schumacher, who is now part of Alpine’s Hypercar program. Bottas will share the reserve driver role with Frederik Vesti, the 2023 Formula 2 championship runner-up. Vesti, a Mercedes junior since 2021, brings a fresh perspective and valuable experience to the team. Together, they will provide a strong backup to the regular drivers, ensuring the team is always ready to tackle any unforeseen challenges.
Ferrari: A Familiar Face and a Rising Star
Ferrari has secured Zhou Guanyu as its reserve driver for the 2025 season, a move that brings a familiar face back to the Maranello-based team. Zhou, who was part of Ferrari’s academy between 2015 and 2018, left to become Renault’s development driver in 2019 and made his F1 debut with Alfa Romeo in 2022. However, he was dropped by Alfa Romeo for the 2025 season, leading him to rejoin Ferrari. Zhou will work alongside Antonio Giovinazzi, who has been Ferrari’s reserve driver since 2022. Giovinazzi also competes for Ferrari in the World Endurance Championship, adding a multi-faceted skill set to the team. Ferrari’s development drivers include Arthur Leclerc, Charles Leclerc’s younger brother, along with Antonio Fuoco and Davide Rigon. These young talents will play a pivotal role in testing and refining the car, contributing to Ferrari’s continuous pursuit of excellence.
McLaren: A Team in Transition
McLaren is still in the process of finalizing its reserve driver lineup for the 2025 season, as Ryo Hirakawa, who held the position last year, has moved to Alpine. One likely candidate to fill this role is Pato O’Ward, the Arrow McLaren IndyCar driver who has already contested F1 practice sessions for the Woking-based team. O’Ward’s familiarity with the team and his proven racing skills make him a strong contender for the job. Additionally, McLaren employs Will Stevens as a development driver. Stevens spends a significant amount of time in the team’s simulator, collaborating closely with the engineers and regular drivers to ensure the car’s performance is optimized. His technical expertise and insights are invaluable to the team, contributing to McLaren’s ongoing efforts to climb the grid.
Aston Martin: Continuity and Promise
Aston Martin has decided to retain Felipe Drugovich and Stoffel Vandoorne as its reserve drivers for the 2025 season. Both drivers have a rich background in the team. Vandoorne joined Aston Martin from Mercedes in November 2022, bringing with him extensive F1 experience. Drugovich, who is a graduate of the Aston Martin driver development program and the 2022 Formula 2 champion, has been with the squad since 2023. This continuity ensures that the team has a reliable backup system in place. Drugovich and Vandoorne will work closely with the regular drivers, Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel, providing support and insights during testing and practice sessions. Their presence also adds depth to the team’s driver pool, potentially opening up future opportunities for both drivers.
Alpine and Williams: New Faces and Fresh Challenges
Alpine has announced a trio of reserve drivers for the 2025 season: Paul Aron, Ryo Hirakawa, and Franco Colapinto. Paul Aron, who had a standout performance in Formula 2 last year, finishing third, is a promising addition to the team. Hirakawa, coming over from McLaren, has experience in both F1 and IndyCar, making him a versatile choice. The most intriguing addition, however, is Franco Colapinto, who made a surprising F1 debut in Monza 2024, replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams. Colapinto’s immediate success, finishing 12th in his first race and scoring points in his second, has generated significant hype. Despite Williams securing Carlos Sainz as Alex Albon’s team-mate for 2025, Alpine saw the potential in Colapinto and signed him on a multi-year deal. His role at Alpine could lead to a full-time seat in the future, especially given the uncertain status of Jack Doohan.
Williams, on the other hand, is currently without a dedicated reserve driver after the departure of Franco Colapinto and the team has yet to announce a replacement. Jamie Chadwick, a development driver since 2019, continues to work closely with the team. Chadwick, a three-time W Series champion, brings a unique perspective and a wealth of driving experience to the simulator. Her contributions are vital in helping the team test new car developments and prepare for upcoming races. As Williams finalizes its plans, the focus remains on maintaining a strong and competitive lineup, both on and off the track.
Racing Bulls and Sauber: Preparing for the Future
Racing Bulls, formerly known as RB, is also in a state of transition. Isack Hadjar, who served as the reserve driver in 2024, has been promoted to a full-time seat alongside Yuki Tsunoda for the 2025 season. This leaves the team without an official reserve driver, but given its close ties with Red Bull, the Faenza-based squad can call on any of Red Bull’s reserves if needed. This arrangement ensures that Racing Bulls remains well-prepared for any emergencies, leveraging the extensive resources and talent pool of the Red Bull organization.
Sauber, now on the cusp of becoming the Audi works team in 2026, is still finalizing its reserve driver lineup for 2025. Zane Maloney and Theo Pourchaire, who served as reserve drivers last year, have both left the team. With an all-new line-up featuring Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber is focusing on integrating these drivers and building a strong support system. While the team has not yet announced its reserve drivers, the expectation is that they will choose individuals who can bring a blend of experience and fresh talent to the squad, ensuring a seamless transition into the 2026 season.
Haas: Potential for a Familiar Face
Haas F1 Team is another outfit that has yet to confirm its reserve driver for the 2025 season. Following Oliver Bearman’s promotion to a full-time seat, the American team is considering its options. One strong candidate is Pietro Fittipaldi, the grandson of double world champion Emerson Fittipaldi. Pietro has been with Haas since 2019 and has started two races in the past, notably when Romain Grosjean was injured in a crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. Pietro’s experience and family legacy could be a perfect fit for Haas, providing the team with a reliable and capable backup option. As Haas finalizes its plans, the focus is on maintaining a robust driver development program to ensure the team remains competitive and well-prepared for the future.
In summary, the 2025 Formula 1 season is shaping up to be an exciting and dynamic campaign, with many teams making significant changes to their driver lineups and support roles. The reserve and development drivers play a crucial role in the teams’ success, providing backup, testing, and valuable insights. As the season approaches, fans can look forward to witnessing the impact these unsung heroes will have behind the scenes and potentially on the track.
