The Life of a Formula 1 Reserve Driver

Autoweek profiles Haas reserve driver Jack Doohan to explain life on the F1 subs bench. Reserves must stay ready to race if a regular driver is unavailable, occasionally going long periods without a cockpit. The role can lead to a full seat, as Ollie Bearman did in 2024, or serve as a backup like Nico Hülkenberg at Aston Martin in 2021-22. For 2026, Doohan remains in a back-up role at Haas. Doohan describes the routine as heavy on the simulator, especially overnight Friday into Saturday, translating practice into qualifying. At Haas, reserve duties are shared with Ryo Hirakawa, blending factory work with track duties. He notes the path may begin in a junior series and still demand close team integration, offering a route to a race seat.