One-time Formula 1 driver admits Williams reserve role was ‘a boring job’

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The 2020 Formula 1 season was bizarre for many reasons, but it will always be fondly remembered by former Williams reserve driver Jack Aitken.

A domino effect of driver moves at the Sakhir Grand Prix was the 28-year-old handed a golden chance to join the F1 grid with Williams.

Speaking to The Race, Aitken reflected on his time sitting on the sidelines in Formula 1.

The British driver worked his way through the karting and single-seater series alongside the likes of George Russell.

In 2015, he won all three championships he entered and was suddenly on the radar of GP3 teams.

He finished as a runner-up in that series in 2017 but ended up spending four seasons trying to break through in Formula 2, desperately close to making the step up to F1.

He was signed by Renault as a test driver in 2018, but after two seasons, Aitken made the switch to Williams as their reserve driver.

It’s not the most forgiving job and the likes of Theo Pourchaire and Felipe Drugovich who are Formula 2 champions have shown that there’s no guarantee that winning that title earns you a spot on the grid.

However, for one race only, Aitken was behind the wheel of the Williams in a Grand Prix after George Russell stepped up to replace Lewis Hamilton after he tested positive for Covid.

Although Aitken ended up crashing before the end of the race, he can always say he took part in the pinnacle of motorsport.

Aitken explains ‘boring’ reserve role at Williams

While getting the chance to jump into the car was brilliant for Aitken, the day-to-day life of a reserve driver isn’t particularly interesting.

Asked about the role, Aitken said: “I mean, I think I can speak frankly about it – not because I had a bad time, I really enjoyed my time with Williams and with Renault before that. But it is a boring job,” Aitken muses.

“You’re a spare part. You come to a weekend- okay, yeah, you can sit in on the meetings, maybe you can do some basic jobs here and there, but really there’s nothing for you to do except wait for someone to fall down the stairs – and that’s a terrible life to live! So, yeah, most people hate it.

“I would get tips from other reserve drivers, ex-reserve drivers saying ‘If you want a good place to sleep, this part of the truck is good’ or ‘Make sure you go to these guys for catering, they are the best’.”

Williams don’t currently have a reserve driver but they might be asking Aitken for some advice on how to deal with the job.

Aitken raced in the FIA World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans last year and looks to be taking that route in motorsport now.

With so little movement on the grid, plenty of other reserve drivers might be looking at opportunities elsewhere.

However, that could all change in 2024 with so many contracts set to expire.