Reserve drivers are backup drivers that can step in when a main driver is injured or sick. They also attend races, even when they aren’t participating in sessions, and work on simulators to continue development. 

An example of a reserve driver stepping up is Oliver Bearman in 2024. Bearman stepped up not once, but three times in the 2024 season,the first being for Ferrari at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix after then Ferrari driver, Carlos Sainz, had to get his appendix removed. He stepped up again at the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix when Kevin Magnussen had to serve a one race ban for exceeding the max amount of points allowed on his super license. He then stepped up for a third time at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, again replacing Haas driver, Kevin Magnussen, who had fallen ill.

There is a large amount of overlap between reserve and development drivers as one driver can serve as both for the team they are on. The main difference between the two is that reserve drivers are present at every Grand Prix and ready to stand in whenever they are needed, whereas development drivers focus on simulator work and technical feedback at the factories to improve the car.

Recently, Doriane Pin, F1 Academy Champion, took on the role of development driver at Mercedes, though she will not have to be at every race ready to step in for one of the main drivers like their reserve driver will have to be. Read more about Doriane Pin and her new role here.

McLaren has two reserve drivers, Pato O’Ward and Leonardo Fornaroli. O’Ward currently races in Indycar for Arrow McLaren, and finished last season as runner up in the championship. Fornaroli has just recently been signed onto McLaren’s Driver Development Programme following him winning the 2025 F2 championship.

Mercedes and Ferrari are both sticking with their reserve drivers from last season. Mercedes’ Frederik Vesti has been the team’s reserve since 2024, following his runner up position in the 2023 F1 championship. Ferrari has had Antonio Giovinazzi as their reserve for the past 9 years. Giovinazzi spent a few seasons driving full time for Haas and current races in Formula E alongside his role in F1.

Yuki Tsunoda will be the reserve driver for Red Bull and Racing Bulls, after Isack Hadjar took his seat at Red Bull. Tsunoda drove for Racing Bulls, previously AlphaTauri, from 2021-2025, when he was promoted to the Red Bull seat. At the end of the 2025 season it was announced that Isack Hadjar would step up into the Red Bull seat, with Arvid Lindblad taking his seat at Racing Bulls, leaving Tsunoda without a spot on the grid for 2026.

Luke Browning, former F2 driver, is stepping up as Williams reserve driver for 2026, after joining the Williams F1 Driver Academy in 2023. Alongside his duties as reserve driver, he will be driving for Team Kondo Racing in Super Formula, Japan’s single seater racing series. 

Jak Crawford is Aston Martin’s reserve driver for the season, replacing Felipe Drugovich, who left to compete full time in Formula E. Crawford has been a member of Aston Martin Driver Academy since 2024 and has previously competed in free practice one sessions for the team.

Alpine has Paul Aron as their primary reserve driver after Jack Doohan left the team earlier this year. Aron previously raced in F2 in 2024, finishing the season in third place in the championship.

Haas will continue to have Ryo Hirakawa as their reserve driver. He joined the team in the role in 2025 after previously holding a role with Alpine. He also drives in the World Endurance Championship for Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Cadillac has brought on Zhou Guanyu to be their reserve driver for their debut season. Zhou previously drove for Sauber, or Alfa Romeo, for three years, before joining Ferrari as their reserve driver for 2025. Cadillac has also brought on Colton Herta as a development driver. Herta previously raced in Indycar from 2018-2025 and is set to compete in F2 for the 2026 season.

Audi has not yet confirmed a reserve driver for the 2026 season.