Formula 1 debuts a series exploring the small teams within teams—the tight circles of people who work directly with each driver daily. First up: the reserve driver, told through Stoffel Vandoorne, who went from McLaren race seat to Aston Martin's backup role.
Modern F1 operations employ hundreds, but only a handful orbit each driver closely. Vandoorne's piece examines the reserve position—a role that demands staying race-ready while living in the margins of the weekend. The series will follow with looks at race engineers and performance coaches, the other core members of a driver's inner bubble.
For American fans, reserve drivers carry underrated weight. Haas leans on its backup when crashes or illness strike, and Cadillac's 2026 entry will need the same safety net. A strong reserve can salvage constructor points and development progress when the unexpected hits. Vandoorne's perspective shows what keeps F1's understudies sharp when the call rarely comes.
Read the full story at formula1.com
