Who are the reserve and development drivers for the F1 teams in 2026?

Third drivers, reserve drivers, test drivers, or academy members: these profiles form the permanent backup line for teams, while often representing their medium-term future. With the arrival of the new regulations in 2026 and the entry of new manufacturers like Audi and Cadillac, these roles take on an even more strategic dimension, encompassing car development, simulator work, and preparation for a potential leap into the professional ranks.

Some organizations have already clarified their structure. Classic Mercedes for sale relies on Fred Vesti as third driver, surrounded by a development group blending new profiles, with Dorian Pin and Joshua Dürksen, and regulars, with Anthony Davidson. Classic Ferrari for sale Antonio Giovinazzi, for his part, remains his designated man behind the scenes, despite numerous talents registered in the academy; no other name has been officially announced for an additional reserve or development role.

At Red Bull And at Racing Bulls, the approach remains true to the club's philosophy: a dense, almost industrial-scale junior program. However, it is Yuki tsunoda, replaced by Isack Hadjar in the Red Bull team who occupies the hybrid role of reserve and test driver for both structures. 

McLaren, Williams et Aston Martin have also secured several key positions. The Woking team relies on two major reserves, Pato O'Ward, already established at McLaren through their team in IndyCar, and who will now be accompanied by the champion of F2 Leonardo Fornaroli is the current driver. Williams has appointed Luke Browning, who has been part of the academy since 2023, as reserve driver, while Victor Martins will serve as a test and development driver. At Silverstone, Aston Martin will field Jak Crawford as their third driver.

Alpine has, once again, opted for abundance: several reserve drivers, including Paul Aron and Kush Maini, and a well-stocked academy. Audi, rapidly gaining momentum after its rebranding, has yet to officially announce a reserve driver; only Freddie Slater is slated to participate as a development driver. For its part, Cadillac has announced Guanyu-Zhou as a third driver, and no less than 3 development drivers, in addition to Colton Herta, announced as a test driver.

Haas trusts two reserves already known in the paddock, Jack Doohan and Ryō Hirakawa.

F1 2026: Reserve drivers, testing and academies (announcements as of February 04, 2026)

Classic Mercedes for sale
Reserve: 🇩🇰 Fred Vesti
Development: 🇵🇾 Joshua Dürksen, 🇲🇫 Doriane Pin, 🇬🇧 anthony davidson
Academy: 🇦🇪 Rashid Al Dhaheri, 🇬🇧 Ethan Jeff-Hall, 🇲🇫​ Andy Consani, 🇪🇸 Luna Fluxa, 🇬🇧 Kenzo Craigie, 🇦🇺 James Anagnostiadis, 🇲🇫​ Many Nuvolini

Classic Ferrari for sale
Reserve: 🇮🇹 Antonio Giovinazzi
Academy: 🇸🇪 Dino Beganovic, 🇧🇷 Rafael Camara, 🇩🇰 Alba Larsen, 🇮🇹 Niccolò Maccagnani, 🇫🇮 Tuukka Taponen, 🇳🇱 Maya Weug, 🇬🇧 Noah Baglin, 🇮🇹 Filippo Sala

Red Bull / Racing Bulls
Reserve: 🇯🇵 Yuki Tsunoda
Academy: 🇧🇬 Nikola Tsolov, 🇦🇷 Mattia Colnaghi, 🇮🇪 Fionn McLaughlin, 🇲🇽 Ernesto Rivera, 🇹🇭 Enzo Tarnvanichkul, 🇨🇭 Chiara Bättig, 🇸🇪 Scott Kin Lindblom, 🇳🇱 Rocco Coronel, 🇸🇪 Melvin Kalousdian, 🇬🇧 Alisha Palmowski, 🇧🇷 Rafaela Ferreira, 🇯🇵 Ayumu Iwasa

McLaren
Reserves: 🇲🇽 Pato O'Ward, 🇮🇹 Leonardo Fornaroli
Academy: Ella Loyd, 🇫🇮 Ella Hakkinen, 🇬🇧 Ella Stevens, 🇪🇸 Christian Costoya, 🇮🇹 Matteo De Palo, 🇳🇱 Richard Verschoor, 🇧🇪 Dries Van Langendonck 

Williams
Reservist: 🇬🇧 Luke browning
Testing and development: 🇲🇫 Victor Martins
Academy: 🇲🇫​ Alessandro Giusti, 🇲🇫​ Jade Jacquet, 🇸🇰/🇯🇵 Kean Nakamura-Berta, 🇺🇦 Oleksandr Bondarev, 🇳🇱 Dean Hoogendoorn, 🇺🇸 Lucas Palacio, 🇬🇧 Will Green

Aston Martin
Reserve: 🇺🇸 Jak Crawford
Academy: 🇪🇸 Mari Boya, 🇩🇪 Mathilda Paatz

Alpine
Reserves: 🇪🇪 Paul Aron, 🇮🇳 Kush Maini
Academy: 🇳🇱 Nina Gademan, 🇨🇦 Ilie Tristan Crisan, 🇬🇧 Sukhmani Kaur Khera, 🇦🇪 Keanu Al Azhari, 🇮🇹 Nicola Lacorte, 🇸🇬 Kabir Anurag, 🇮🇹 Gabriele Mini

Audi
Reservists: NC
Development : 🇬🇧 Freddie Slater

Cadillac
Reserve: 🇨🇳 Guanyu Zhou
Test: 🇺🇸 Colton Herta
Development: 🇧🇷 Pietro Fittipaldi, 🇲🇫 simon pagenaud, 🇮🇪 Charlie Eastwood

TGR Haas
Reservists: 🇦🇺 Jack Doohan, 🇯🇵 Ryō Hirakawa
Academy: 🇺🇸 Kaylee Countryman