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It’s rare that Formula 1 teams need to call upon their reserve driver. For the most part, they operate in a support role, carrying out simulator work, the odd test day and a couple of FP1 sessions, potentially in conjunction with another series. But in recent times, a couple of teams have been left with no choice. Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz had to withdraw from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when he was diagnosed with appendicitis, forcing the team to field F2 driver Oliver Bearman instead. Bearman did an admirable job, finishing seventh – the best result for a debutant since 2015 – and winning…

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