Minutes after Motorsport.com reported that Drugovich could sign for Aston Martin for the 2023 season, the team made it official. The 22-year-old Brazilian driver will be a teammate of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll next year.
After winning the F2 championship this Saturday at Monza, an important step forward was taken for the agreement, which was revealed on Monday. In fact Aston Martin announced that they had signed the contract the same day it was crowned.
That title officially guaranteed him the super license for 2023 and also ensured that he could play a free practice session 1 at the Abu Dhabi GP without being distracted from the fight for the Formula 2 championship.
Last Friday at Monza, Aston Martin used one of the two FP1 sessions it has to give a rookie with Nyck de Vries , but has yet to do it one more time before the end of the season.
The idea was to do it with Drugovich in his local grand prix, in Brazil , but that will be a sprint weekend in which classification comes directly after FP1, so fielding a substitute would reduce the chances of the starters. Therefore, the intention is to allow him to contest FP1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix , replacing Stroll , and also to let him take the young drivers test in November at the same Yas Marina circuit.
“Becoming a member of the AMF1 Driver Development Program is a fantastic opportunity for me – and it only adds to what has been an extremely enjoyable and successful 2022 season,” said Drugovich.
“Winning in Formula 2 has long been regarded as the best possible launch pad for a Formula 1 career, and I see my role at Aston Martin as giving me all the tools to take that crucial next step.”
“For me, 2023 will be a learning curve: I will work with the F1 team, but my main goal is to learn and develop as a driver. I hope that will give me the opportunity to race in Formula 1 in the future.”
For his part, Mike Krack, team manager, indicated that they had paid attention to the Brazilian after his performances in the middle of the season when he began to generate a significant advantage in the championship over the Frenchman Theo Purchaire.
“Felipe has shown incredible talent, determination and consistency to win this year’s Formula 2 Championship – I especially remember his fantastic victories in the Sprint and Feature de Barcelona in May, which were hugely impressive.
“We are delighted that he is joining us as a member of our Driver Development Program, and we look forward to welcoming him as part of our team in Abu Dhabi this November.”
It will be the prelude to a more intense program in 2023 where he will travel to the races to familiarize himself with the team and be available should he be needed.
“Becoming a member of the AMF1 Driver Development Program is a fantastic opportunity for me, and adds to what has been an extremely positive and successful 2022 season,” said Drugovich.
“Winning in Formula 2 has long been seen as the best possible launch pad to get to Formula 1, and I see my role at Aston Martin as an opportunity that gives me all the tools to take that crucial next step.”
“For me, 2023 will be a learning curve: I will be working with the F1 team, but my main goal is to learn and develop as a driver. I hope that will give me the opportunity to race in Formula 1 in the future.”
For his part, Mike Krack , team manager, indicated that they had noticed the Brazilian after his performances in the middle of the season, when he began to generate an important advantage in the championship over the Frenchman Theo Purchaire .
“Felipe has shown incredible talent, determination and consistency to win this year’s Formula 2 Championship. I especially remember his fantastic wins in the sprint race and the main race in Barcelona in May, which were simply amazing.”
“We are delighted that he is joining us as a member of our Driver Development Program, and we look forward to welcoming him as part of our team in Abu Dhabi in November.”
Drugovich was still aiming for a starting seat at the teams that had yet to confirm their line-ups, Haas, Alpine and Williams, but the fact that his deal as a substitute for Aston Martin is official seems to indicate that all doors are closed.
In order to compete in an FP1 this year, he has to obtain the so-called Friday super license, which will force him to travel 300 km with a contemporary car in private tests.
The Silverstone outfit has an AMR21 from last season in operation, which will be driven in October as a reward by Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year award winner Zak O’Sullivan . In theory, the team could put the Drugovich on the track that same day.
Before this news, Drugovich had stressed that his priority was to secure a starting seat, but indicated that a reserve driver role would be the next best option.
“The aim is to be there,” he said at the weekend when asked by Motorsport.com if a substitute role was the best alternative if there is no place on the grid.
“We’re trying, but if it’s not possible I’d be totally happy to be in the reserve role.”
“Now we have a long break, so we are going to try to talk to the teams, and see what the best options are. I would love to play in FP1.”
