F1 Reserve Drivers 2024: Who is next man up for Ferrari, Mercedes and co?

Bearman during practice in Imola — Photo: © IMAGO

Reserve Drivers

F1 Reserve Drivers 2024: Who is next man up for Ferrari, Mercedes and co?

A look at the F1 reserve drivers for each team in 2024

Yara Elshebiny

Friday 5 July 2024 13:35 Updated: 14:41

F1's next generation of stars is on standby. We explore the reserve drivers who could be called upon throughout the record-breaking 24-race season.

The 2024 season faced an early twist with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz sidelined in the second round of the season in Saudi Arabia due to appendicitis, requiring him to undergo surgery. Stepping up to replace Sainz was the Scuderia's reserve driver, Oliver Bearman, who is destined to join the F1 grid next year with Haas on a multi-year contract.

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Bearman's surprise debut throws the spotlight on the crucial role reserve drivers play in F1, serving as the first line of defence when race seats become unexpectedly vacant.

This season's reserve pool boasts a mix of experience and raw talent. Teams like Mercedes have opted for a two-pronged approach, with Mick Schumacher, son of the legendary Michael, joining forces with rising star Frederik Vesti.

Meanwhile, Red Bull continues their focus on youth development with Liam Lawson, who impressed during his substitute appearances for AlphaTauri (now Visa Cash App RB) last year.

Now, let's take a look at the reserve drivers for each team on the grid.

Who are the F1 reserve drivers in 2024?

Red Bull & Visa Cash App RB

Liam Lawson remains a reserve driver for both the Red Bull and Visa Cash App RB teams. The New Zealand driver impressed in 2023 when he stepped in for an injured Daniel Ricciardo at VCARB, consistently outperformed teammate Yuki Tsunoda, and even scored points during his stint.

Despite this strong showing, the team ultimately opted to retain Tsunoda and Ricciardo for the 2024 season. Now Lawson remains highly regarded and ready to step up if needed.

At the British Grand Prix, F2 driver Isack Hadjar replaced Sergio Perez in the RB20 during FP1 for Red Bull.

Ferrari

The Scuderia bolsters their reserve options with a trio of drivers, with Oliver Bearman, Antonio Giovinazzi and Robert Shwartzman all providing a strong pool of talent for the Italian team.

Mercedes

After leaving Haas at the end of 2022, Mick Schumacher found a new home at Mercedes as a reserve driver for the 2023 season. He carries on that role this year, with Frederik Vesti, who impressed with a second-place finish in last year's Formula 2 Championship with PREMA Racing, joining him in the reserve role.

Alpine

After a disappointing slide to sixth place in the 2023 constructors' championship, Alpine's woes continued with a dismal performance in the season opener of 2024. This poor showing led to the resignations of both Technical Director Matt Harman and Head of Aerodynamics Dirk de Beer.

Despite the shakeup, young Australian talent Jack Doohan remained as a reserve driver for Alpine in 2024, supporting the French pairing of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.

Doohan drove for the team in FP1 at the British Grand Prix, replacing Gasly.

Aston Martin

2022 Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovic was once again recruited as a reserve driver behind Lance Stroll and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso.

McLaren

IndyCar driver Alex Palou fills the role of reserve driver at McLaren behind Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, joined by Le Mans winner Ryo Hirakawa.

Stake F1

Theo Pourchaire, the 2023 F2 champion, joins the Stake F1 team as a reserve driver alongside Zane Maloney, the 2022 Formula 3 Rookie of the Year. Both youngsters are on the F1 radar and could be future contenders for a full-time seat.

Haas

Haas employed Pietro Fittipaldi as a reserve driver in 2022, and the Brazilian once again filled the role behind Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg in 2024, sharing duties with Ferrari reserve Oliver Bearman, who is set to join the F1 grid next year with the American team on a multi-year contract.

The American outfit has also tapped Bearman for six practice sessions throughout the 2024 season, with the British Grand Prix marking his third FP1 outing.

Williams

Williams are the only team that have not announced a reserve for 2024. In previous years, Williams have been able to call on the Mercedes reserve pool if needed.

However, the team's Driver Academy racer Franco Colapinto made his F1 race weekend debut when he drove Logan Sargeant's car at Silverstone in FP1.

Team	Reserve Driver(s)
Red Bull	Liam Lawson
Mercedes	Mick Schumacher, Frederik Vesti
Ferrari	Oliver Bearman, Antonio Giovinazzi, Robert Shwartzman
McLaren	Ryo Hirakawa, Pato O'Ward
Aston Martin	Felipe Drugovich
Alpine	Jack Doohan
Haas	Pietro Fittipaldi, Oliver Bearman
Stake F1 Team	Theo Pourchaire, Zane Maloney
Visa Cash App RB	Liam Lawson
Williams	TBC