McLaren will have Paul di Resta on standby as its back-up option at Silverstone this weekend in the event of either Carlos Sainz Jr. or Lando Norris being unable to compete.
McLaren, along with Racing Point, is able to call upon Mercedes reserve drivers Stoffel Vandoorne and Esteban Gutierrez if its regular racers are unavailable.
But it transpired last week that Gutierrez was not eligible for a Super Licence after a tweak in the rules stipulated that he needed 300km of running before taking part in a grand prix weekend, having last started a grand prix in 2016.
Racing Point recruited Nico Hulkenberg to stand in for Sergio Perez at the British Grand Prix after the Mexican tested positive for Covid-19.
Ex-McLaren F1 racer Vandoorne is not available this weekend due to his clashing commitments for Mercedes in Formula E, which is holding its final six races in Berlin.
Di Resta has therefore been placed on standby in the event that he is needed to race for McLaren.
Di Resta competed for Force India from 2011 through 2013 and has since remained active in sportscars, alongside a role as pundit and co-commentator on Sky Sports.
He was a last-minute stand-in for Felipe Massa at the 2017 Hungarian Grand Prix when the Brazilian regular was unwell.
He carried out a seat fit at McLaren’s Technology Centre on Wednesday morning but will not be in close contact with the team, as per Covid-19 protocols, unless he is required.
![Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen [pictured with Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore] is stern in his belief Mercedes has acted correctly](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Alpine-Steve-Nielsen-Flavio-Briatore-350x250.webp)
![Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen [pictured with Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore] is stern in his belief Mercedes has acted correctly](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Alpine-Steve-Nielsen-Flavio-Briatore-360x180.webp)
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