At Maranello, the focus is not only on Hamilton and Leclerc but also on selecting a third driver. Will it be Zhou, Giovinazzi, Fuoco, or Ollie Bearman?
Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and… a big question mark. As we approach the start of the 2025 season, Ferrari’s lineup isn’t fully finalized. While the two main drivers have been officially confirmed by team principal Fred Vasseur—much to the delight of fans who flocked to Fiorano—the choice of reserve driver remains unresolved. This final piece of the puzzle will complete a team that, at least on paper, shows immense promise. But first, let’s rewind a bit.
In 2024, during the second race of the season at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, an unexpected turn of events highlighted the importance of having a strong third driver. On the Thursday night before the race weekend, Carlos Sainz withdrew due to a severe stomach infection. Ferrari urgently needed a replacement, someone already within their ranks. Despite being Ferrari’s official reserve driver, Antonio Giovinazzi was unavailable that weekend as he was competing in the WEC.
Enter Oliver Bearman, a young British talent driving for Prema in Formula 2. By sheer luck and timing, Bearman got the chance of a lifetime: not only his first Formula 1 outing but also behind the wheel of a Ferrari. His seventh-place finish in Jeddah was a remarkable debut and set the stage for a promising career. Ferrari took notice and gave him two additional races with Haas later that year. Fast forward to 2025, and Bearman is now set to partner with Esteban Ocon at Haas.
All the scenarios for the Ferrari’s third driver
The decision surrounding Ferrari’s reserve driver for 2025 has become both complex and intriguing. Paradoxically, it seems less dependent on Ferrari itself than on the wider driver market. Sauber, under Mattia Binotto’s leadership, has added an unexpected twist by revamping its lineup for the upcoming season: out go Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas, replaced by veteran Nico Hülkenberg and F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto. While Bottas may secure a role at Mercedes as a reserve for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, Zhou’s F1 future hangs in the balance.
As Zhou’s chances of securing a full-time seat fade, his best option could be a reserve driver role. According to Roberto Chinchero of Motorsport.com, Ferrari has considered the Chinese driver, but his odds appear slim. The team already has an experienced option in Antonio Giovinazzi, who spent three seasons with Alfa Romeo Racing between 2019 and 2021. Giovinazzi remains Ferrari’s most likely pick to step in during a race weekend if Hamilton or Leclerc are unavailable.
Antonio Fuoco, another long-standing member of the Ferrari setup, is expected to stay in a more limited role, likely confined to FP1 sessions, which teams must allocate to rookie drivers. A similar scenario applies to Arthur Leclerc, Charles’ younger brother.
In the event of a sudden withdrawal during a race weekend—like Sainz’s situation in Jeddah—Oliver Bearman would be Ferrari’s go-to choice, promoted from his Haas seat to the Scuderia. Haas, in turn, would need to field their own reserve driver.
Photo: Scuderia Ferrari HP
