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Reserve Driver
Team Personnel
A Reserve Driver is a backup racing driver who is ready to replace a team's main driver if they become unable to compete due to illness, injury, or other circumstances.
Reserve drivers attend race events, participate in simulator work to help develop the car, and stay familiar with the team's operations. They must maintain race readiness while supporting the team through technical feedback and sometimes promotional activities.
Recent examples include Oliver Bearman stepping in for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari during the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when Sainz had appendicitis, and Nyck de Vries replacing Alex Albon at Williams for the 2022 Italian Grand Prix.