Former Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich is set to take over Fernando Alonso’s car in Mexico, as announced by Aston Martin. Drugovich will make his debut during the first free practice at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The Brazilian has not previously driven the AMR24; he spent the last year primarily working as a test and reserve driver, logging many hours on the simulator.
“I can’t wait to drive the AMR24 for the first time,” Felipe Drugovich stated in an official press release. “I’ve been involved in the development of this car in the simulator for quite some time, so it will be very valuable to feel the difference on the track. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is a circuit I’ve never driven before. It’s a very challenging track, so I’m going to prepare well.”
Training Sessions
Drugovich won the Formula 2 championship in 2022 with the Dutch MP Motorsport. Since then, he has been working as a test and reserve driver in Aston Martin’s training program. In 2023, he clocked many miles in the AMR23 during several free practices and test sessions. During the race weekend in Abu Dhabi, he clocked the second-best time in VT1.
There’s a high probability that more rookies will appear on the track in Mexico. All Formula 1 teams are required to deploy an inexperienced driver twice during a training session this season. During the sprint weekends in Austin, Brazil, and Qatar, the teams are likely unable to forfeit training sessions, and it’s also unlikely that rookies will be deployed on a street circuit like Las Vegas. This leaves only Mexico and Abu Dhabi as options.
