Stand-In Stars: 10 Unforgettable Substitute Performances in F1
Liam Lawson is stepping back into Red Bull's cockpit for the Dutch Grand Prix, while Yuki Tsunoda returns to Racing Bulls. These drivers aim to replicate the success of past F1 substitutes who've made their mark in the sport.
Liam Lawson is making an unexpected return to Red Bull Racing at Zandvoort this weekend, stepping in for the injured Isack Hadjar. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda will be back in action at Racing Bulls, hoping to follow in the footsteps of other famous F1 substitutes who seized their moment in the spotlight.
Jean-Louis Schlesser – Williams, 1988
Williams faced a challenging season in 1988, hampered by an unreliable Judd engine. With lead driver Nigel Mansell sidelined by chickenpox, Jean-Louis Schlesser was called up for the Italian Grand Prix. In a twist of fate, Schlesser collided with Ayrton Senna, preventing McLaren from achieving a perfect winning record and handing Ferrari a poignant victory shortly after Enzo Ferrari's passing.
Alex Wurz – Benetton, 1997
Alex Wurz’s entry into F1 was as unconventional as it was successful. Initially a test driver for Benetton, he was drafted in Canada when Gerhard Berger was unwell. In just his third race, Wurz secured a podium in Britain. His skills later earned him a stint with McLaren as a test driver, where he substituted for Juan Pablo Montoya in 2005 and finished an impressive third.
Mika Salo – Ferrari, 1999
Salo’s career took an unexpected turn when he filled in for Michael Schumacher at Ferrari after the latter's leg injury. He shone in Germany, even leading the race before yielding to team orders to let Eddie Irvine win. Salo's impressive performances were rewarded with a seat at Sauber for the following season.
Sebastian Vettel – BMW-Sauber, 2007
Sebastian Vettel's F1 debut came with BMW-Sauber as a stand-in for Robert Kubica, who was recovering from a crash in Canada. Vettel scored points in his debut at Indianapolis and soon after joined Toro Rosso, setting the stage for his later dominance with Red Bull and four consecutive world championships.
Luca Badoer – Ferrari, 2009
Called up to replace the injured Felipe Massa, Luca Badoer faced a tough challenge after a decade out of the sport. His performances at Valencia and Belgium were disappointing, leading Ferrari to replace him with Giancarlo Fisichella to end the season.
Kamui Kobayashi – Toyota, 2009
Kobayashi stepped in for Toyota after Timo Glock's injury, impressing with his aggressive driving style in Brazil and Abu Dhabi. Despite Toyota's withdrawal from F1, his performances earned him a full-time seat with Sauber.
Stoffel Vandoorne – McLaren, 2016
Stoffel Vandoorne was drafted in for Fernando Alonso at the Bahrain Grand Prix after Alonso failed a medical check. Vandoorne made the most of his opportunity, scoring a point on debut and eventually securing a full-time seat.
George Russell – Mercedes, 2020
Already racing for Williams, George Russell stepped into Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes when Hamilton tested positive for COVID-19. Russell led much of the Sakhir Grand Prix until a pit stop error and a puncture thwarted his victory chances, but his performance solidified his reputation as a future star.
Nyck de Vries – Williams, 2022
Nyck de Vries seized his opportunity at Monza, stepping in for Alex Albon. He qualified well and finished ninth, earning Driver of the Day honors. Although his stint with AlphaTauri was short-lived, his Monza performance remains a highlight.
Ollie Bearman – Ferrari, 2024
Ollie Bearman was thrust into the Ferrari spotlight when Carlos Sainz was sidelined by appendicitis. Bearman impressed by finishing seventh in Saudi Arabia, leading to further opportunities with Haas and eventually a full-time seat.
These stories of unexpected opportunities and impressive performances are a testament to the depth of talent in F1. As Lawson and Tsunoda prepare to race this weekend, they’ll be hoping to add their own chapters to this storied history of super subs.