It’s rare that Formula 1 teams need to call upon their reserve driver. For the most part, they operate in a support role, carrying out simulator work, the odd test day and a couple of FP1 sessions, potentially in conjunction with another series.
But in recent times, a couple of teams have been left with no choice. Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz had to withdraw from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when he was diagnosed with appendicitis, forcing the team to field F2 driver Oliver Bearman instead.
Bearman did an admirable job, finishing seventh – the best result for a debutant since 2015 – and winning driver of the day. He now has an excellent chance of joining the 2025 grid in a Ferrari-engined Haas.
Last year, meanwhile, AlphaTauri were reliant upon Liam Lawson for five races after Daniel Ricciardo broke his hand. Lawson’s impressive form put in the conversation for a 2024 seat, but the Red Bull junior team opted to stick with Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda.
After memorable stand-in showings, Bearman and Lawson are perhaps the highest-profile reserves on the current grid. But there are a number of other big names and exciting talents waiting in the wings.
As you can see in the table above, former F1 drivers like Mick Schumacher (Mercedes), Antonio Giovinazzi (Ferrari) and Stoffel Vandoorne (Aston Martin) feature on the list. F2 champions Theo Pourchaire and Felipe Drugovich will also be hoping their moment arrives.
Liam Lawson set to leave Red Bull over Daniel Ricciardo stance
Red Bull are set to renew the contract of Sergio Perez for 2025 ‘barring a significant change of heart’. That’s according to The Mirror, who also add that Ricciardo ‘remains in favour’ despite his struggles relative to Tsunoda.
Though Ricciardo won’t be making the Red Bull return that was envisaged at the start of the season, senior figures are willing to retain him as part of the junior outfit. They’re also looking to keep Tsunoda as his teammate.
All of this means that Lawson’s hopes of a seat are ‘fading’. He has ‘no interest’ in continuing as a reserve for another year.
He will be feeling even more ‘frustrated’ than he was when he missed out on a drive for 2024. As such, there’s a genuine ‘risk’ that he leaves the Red Bull family, with ‘plenty’ of teams bound to be interested.
The key clause Lawson has negotiated in Red Bull contract
In an ideal world, Red Bull would want to keep Lawson around. He’s proven that he’s one of the best young talents in and around F1, and they’ll want the option to draft him if a vacancy arises.
But they’ll also be realistic. He’s shown patience this year but he can’t wait around forever because the door to F1 won’t always be open.
And crucially, Lawson recently confirmed to one journalist that he’s able to leave the team if they don’t give him a seat for 2025. The New Zealander can activate an exit clause in his contract.
The key question, then, is where he could go next. It’s a good time to be looking for a seat given that more than half the grid are out of contract.
Alpine, Williams, Haas and Sauber (soon to be Audi) could all have openings for 2024. And each of them will surely take a look at Lawson if he becomes available given that, in the words of David Coulthard, he did a ‘brilliant’ job at AlphaTauri last year.
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