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

F1's next generation of stars is on standby. We explore the reserve drivers who could be called upon throughout the record-breaking 2024 season.

The 2024 season has already seen its first twist, with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz sidelined in the second round of the season in Saudi Arabia due to appendicitis. The Spaniard underwent surgery on Friday, and stepping into the breach is the team's reserve driver Oliver Bearman - a highly rated prospect fresh off an impressive Formula 2 campaign.

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.

READ MORE: F1 Schedule 2024: Full calendar with all you need to know about every grand prix

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.

With the gruelling F1 season prone to unexpected events, these reserve drivers could find themselves playing a much larger role than initially anticipated.

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

Who are the F1 reserve drivers in 2024?

Here is a full list of the confirmed reserve drivers for 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.

Ferrari

The Scuderia bolsters their reserve options with a trio of drivers, with Oliver Bearman already stepping in for Carlos Sainz in FP3 and the rest of the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend. The Briton joins Antonio Giovinazzi and Robert Shwartzman, 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 will carry on that role this year while also tackling a new challenge - racing the Alpine Hypercar in the World Endurance Championship, including the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Joining Schumacher in the reserve role for Mercedes is Frederik Vesti, who impressed with a second-place finish in last year's Formula 2 Championship with PREMA Racing.

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.

Aston Martin

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

McLaren

IndyCar driver Alex Palou will fill 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 will once again fill the role behind Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg in 2024, sharing duties with Ferrari reserve Oliver Bearman, who already stepped in to fill Carlos Sainz's seat at the Saudi Arabian GP weekend.

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.

READ MORE: F1 2025 Driver Lineup: How the grid looks with Hamilton at Ferrari

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