McLaren strikes F1 reserve driver deal with Aston Martin

McLaren will be able to rely, if necessary, on Aston Martin reserves Stoffel Vandoorne and Felipe Drugovich as potential substitutes during the first 15 races of 2023.

McLaren and Aston Martin are both customer Mercedes teams which facilitated their deal that will be in force from Bahrain next week until the Italian Grand Prix in September.

Read also: Schumacher 'comfortable' at Mercedes, not worried about future

Vandoorne, Formula E's reigning world champion and a reserve driver for Peugeot in the WEC, made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2016 and raced for the Woking-based outfit during two complete season in 2017 and 2018.

Drugovich was promoted to a reserve driver status with Aston after winning last year's FIA Formula 2 Championship.

"AMF1 has agreed that McLaren will have access to our reserve drivers, Felipe Drugovich and Stoffel Vandoorne, in the instance that they are required for driving duties for the first 15 races of 2023," Aston Martin announced on social media.

McLaren also has a similar agreement with Mercedes to call upon the services of its official reserve Mick Schumacher if necessary, while team papaya's bench also includes IndyCar charger Alex Palou who ran with McLaren in FP1 at the US Grand Prix at COTA last year.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.