Third Wheeling In F1

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"So each team has 2 drivers?"
"Exactly"

Most likely, at one point or another, we've all had to explain Formula 1 to a not yet enlightened friend, family member, or even parter. However (and I'm certainly guilty of this) 9/10 the answer to the question of how many drivers each team has is 2. Simplifying it to 2 is perfectly fine to explain it quickly, but thinking back, I personally thought of F1 teams as 2 driver organizations.

First of all, what is a third driver? Well, they're the guys who test the teams' wildest setups exclusively on Friday, giving them the commonly used nickname "Friday drivers". Naturally, since the other 2 drivers can test the car the same, there's more to the position than testing. There are a few unique types of third drivers.

The "He Knows What He's Doing":
This type of 3rd driver has light F1 experience and can bring consistency to any Friday test. There really is a lot to be learned in even a single season of F1, thus having these drivers chops the explaining time significantly (it takes a while to teach someone how to turn a steering wheel). Advantages here are most likely less crashing, info from other teams, and a better understanding for how a Formula 1 car should feel. Disadvantages include: No longer the youngest batch, if they are a 3rd driver after a season or more in F1, something went wrong, and lastly they might be pulling at your leg on Sunday for a chance to get back behind the wheel. (Or they might sue you)

The "Hopefully One Day He'll know what He's doing"
As the title above would suggest, this category includes the youngest third drivers on the field. Individuals like Sirotkin, Werlhein '15, and Jundacellla. Obviously, they do know what they're doing enough to earn a testing role at an F1 team, but they are yet to prove themselves in the ring and apart from Werlhein, it appears they may not get the chance to drive on a Sunday anytime soon.

The "I Know I Don't Have Much Money but if we Win Championships that Doesn't Matter... Right?":

This class of 3rd string driver usually encompasses the GP2 winners that often end up as 3rd drivers for Sauber or Force India (looking at you Davide). While these drivers have proven their talent, they haven't proven their cash making abilities. Which is sad, because GP2 winners have an excellent pedigree in F1 with current top drivers such as Rosberg, Hulkenburg, and Maldo*... err never mind. The unfortunate truth of the matter is that GP2 is pumping out champions faster than F1 has room to accommodate them, leaving champagne soaked third drivers in the garage, or worse, driving in Formula Electronic-vacuum-cleaners.

Overall, the 3rd Driver is one of the most interesting and fluid positions in modern Formula 1. The road to Formula 1 is not direct, and saying it continues to be through winning a GP2 championship is not that common anymore. Notable drivers without GP2 experience in Formula 1 are also some of its youngest stars. Ricciardo, Bottas, and Magnussen never set foot in a GP2 car, but made it to high level teams, ahead of recent GP2 champions such as Jolyon Palmer and Romain. The last GP2 champion to claim a subsequent F1 spot was Romain Grosjean, 2011's GP2 title winner. Since then 3 winners have passed without a spot in Formula 1.

*For the record, I'm aware he isn't currently driving.

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