With two months left before the season kicks off with the Australian GP, every car on the 2025 F1 grid has a confirmed driver. Since the conclusion of the 2024 Formula 1 season, teams raced to secure drivers that best fit their needs. Meanwhile, only three teams have officially announced their 2025 F1 Reserve Drivers.
The standout feature of the upcoming season is that many reserve drivers have a genuine chance of fighting for a spot in the F1 starting lineup. These include a mix of drivers who’ve already proven their worth in F1 and others with immense potential thanks to their stellar performances in other motorsport categories.
Here are the three teams that have confirmed their 2025 F1 Reserve Drivers:
Alpine
The French team boasts the most F1 reserve drivers. Franco Colapinto, Ryo Hirakawa, and Paul Aron have been designated as substitutes for any of the team’s regular drivers and will contribute to car testing.
Alpine faces one of the toughest decisions. Naming Jack Doohan as a driver puts significant pressure on the rookie, especially since Colapinto, who debuted last F1 season and proved he deserves a chance in the top category, is waiting in the wings.
On the other hand, Hirakawa brings valuable experience from competing in endurance championships. He has also served as a reserve driver for Haas and McLaren and even participated in practice sessions during his home race, the Japan GP.
Aston Martin
Consistency has been key for Aston Martin with Felipe Drugovich. The Brazilian, a former Formula 2 champion, has been the team’s reserve driver for three seasons. He’s taken part in several FP1 sessions and contributed significantly by testing the car.
The other reserve driver for Aston Martin is Stoffel Vandoorne. With three years on the team, he brings experience from Formula E and the World Endurance Championship (WEC).
Mercedes
The Silver Arrows turned to a familiar face: Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas. Once a regular contender for top positions in the Formula 1 standings, he has recently found himself at the back of the grid with Sauber. While it may seem like a stark contrast, the motorsport world knows what Bottas can achieve with a competitive car.
The Rest of the Teams
The rest of the F1 teams have not officially designated their reserve drivers, though there are strong indications for some. For example, the relationship between Mexican driver Pato O’Ward and McLaren is well-established, making it almost certain he’ll remain with the team this year.
Only time and F1 news will reveal the rest as the season approaches.