All the 2026 Reserve Drivers for every Formula E team

Feature by Katy Fairman

Reserve Drivers in motorsport hold a very important job. Not only are they ready to step in to race if one of the full-time drivers is unwell or unavailable, but they often help provide feedback and data to help further develop the team. 

With the first race of Season 12 complete, following Jake Dennis’ impressive win for Andretti in São Paulo, let’s take a look at the drivers who are ready to race if called upon in Formula E. 

What is the main role of a Formula E Reserve Driver?

These substitute drivers play a crucial role across Formula E, and need to be ready for action with short notice; for example, Taylor Barnard made his championship race debut when Sam Bird sustained a hand injury during the free practice in Monaco in Season 10. 

As well as being on the ground for most race weekends, Reserve Drivers are commonly used for simulator work, assistance in engineering briefings, media appearances and testing if required. 

How many Reserve Drivers does one Formula E team have? 

For some teams, it isn’t possible to have just one Reserve Driver who attends every race weekend due to a clash in commitments. Therefore it’s common to see teams have two drivers that can alternate races, or sharing drivers between powertrain suppliers. 

Here's who each team have signed up as their Reserve Driver in 2025/26.

Porsche

David Beckmann

Porsche have kept German driver David Beckmann close, signing him as their official Season 12 Reserve Driver. Having been a key part of the Porsche family as their Formula E Test and Reserve driver since Season 9, Beckmann comes with a wealth of real race experience after completing a full campaign with CUPRA KIRO last season – a Porsche powertrain customer. 

CALENDAR: Here's every race set for the 2025/26 Formula E season

Now back with the works team, Beckmann will be on-site to bring the real-world data and learning to the reigning Teams’ and Manufacturers’ World Champions. 

Jaguar TCS Racing

Stoffel Vandoorne 

Formula E’s Season 8 World Champion Stoffel Vandoorne is on hand for the Jaguar TCS Racing team across Season 12. He was on the ground to help the team during the first race in São Paulo, and will be back in action for the rest of the season as we head to the Americas, Asia and Europe. 

The multiple race winner has raced for some of the biggest names in the all-electric championship, including Mercedes, Maserati and DS PENSKE, before making the switch to Jaguar for Season 12. As well as his duties in Formula E, Vandoorne has also been racing in the World Endurance Championship and was the Test and Reserve Driver for Aston Martin in Formula 1 across 2025. 

Tom Dillmann

Long-standing Simulator and Reserve Driver Tom Dillmann is back for another campaign with the Jaguar crew. The Frenchman has participated in 23 Formula E events across multiple seasons, before landing his role with Jaguar which he’s held since Season 7. Dillmann is also a trusted and successful figure in endurance racing, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMP2 category earlier this year. 

Nissan 

Sam Bird

The Japanese manufacturer has snapped up Sam Bird for Season 12, as he balances the role alongside broadcast responsibilities for Formula E. Bird is one of the most experienced names in the championship, having taken part in the very first Formula E race back in Beijing in 2014.

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As Nissan's Reserve and Development Driver, Bird will be a great help to Nissan as he brings excellent insight from his 144 races, 27 podiums and 12 wins - the fourth highest in Formula E at the time of publication. 

Mahindra Racing

Kush Maini 

Returning to his Reserve Driver role in Season 12 is Kush Maini at Mahindra Racing. The 25-year-old is resuming his role with the Indian team, having first been signed in Season 10 and has continually impressed during the testing opportunities he’s been given in-season which includes topping the 2025 Jeddah Rookie Free Practice. 

As well as his time with Mahidra, Maini also races in Formula 2 and is part of Alpine’s Driver Academy. He recently got the chance to drive the A525 Formula 1 car during the post-season Young Driver Test at the Yas Marina Circuit, following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – his first taste of modern F1 machinery in an official session. 

DS PENSKE

Oliver Turvey 

Former Formula E driver Oliver Turvey remains DS PENSKE’s Reserve Driver for another campaign across 2025/26. The Briton has 88 starts to his name across the all-electric championship, as well as a pole position and podium from two separate E-Prix in Mexico City. 

As well as his responsibility as Reserve Driver, Turvey is also kept busy through his other role as Sporting Advisor at DS PENSKE. He’s a very useful figure in the team’s garage, and has also spent his 2025 season as Test & Development Driver for the Williams Formula 1 Team. 

Andretti

Oliver Askew

American racing driver Oliver Askew is continuing his duties as Andretti’s Reserve Driver, having previously raced for the team during Season 8. Askew scored points on his debut at the 2022 Diriyah E-Prix, before getting ‘rookie of the year honours’ later that season. 

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After being welcomed back to the paddock in a broadcast capacity, Askew returned to a race team when Andretti brought him back as one of their Reserve Drivers in Season 11 with the role being extended to cover Season 12 ahead of the first round in São Paulo which the team went on to win with Jake Dennis. 

Envision Racing

TBC 

As it stands, there is no confirmed Reserve Driver at the Envision Racing squad for Season 12. The team have a talented roster of drivers on their books, including Test and Development Driver Alice Powell as well as Zak O’Sullivan who joined the team in January 2025 as their Simulator Driver. 

As a customer of Jaguar powertrains, it’s understood that the option to use one of their reserves is on the table but generally the team has not announced a specific individual as a Reserve Driver. 

Citroën Racing

TBC 

Currently, Citroën Racing have not announced their Reserve Driver for Season 12. The iconic French manufacturer made their single-seater debut in Formula E, with their first race in São Paulo resulting in a podium from Nick Cassidy. 

CUPRA KIRO

David Beckmann 

As a customer of Porsche powertrains, CUPRA KIRO have the opportunity to use David Beckmann as their Reserve Driver if the need arises over Season 12. This is a familiar setting for Beckmann, having raced for the team on a full-time basis across the 2024/25 Formula E season. During that time he totalled up 16 race starts with CUPRA KIRO, adding to his two races for Andretti in Season 9. 

Lola Yamaha ABT

TBC

Like a few other teams on the grid, Lola Yamaha ABT have also not confirmed a specific Reserve Driver for Season 12. The legendary racing brand returned to global motorsport in 2024, and managed a podium in their debut season thanks to Lucas di Grassi – the most experienced driver on the grid.

Season 12 Reserve Drivers at a glance: 

SCHEDULE: Where, when and how to watch or stream the 2026 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix, Round 2

After an action-packed first race of Season 12, it’s not long to wait until we return to one of our favourite races: Mexico City. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez has been a staple on the calendar since Season 2, and will be returning to your screens for race day on 10 January 2026.

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