Reaching Formula 1 is an incredibly difficult task for any driver, particularly with only 20 available seats on the grid.
The 2024 post-season F1 test in Abu Dhabi has given fans a glimpse at some of the drivers who could end up racing at the pinnacle of motorsport sooner rather than later.
Carlos Sainz has made his Williams debut, while the likes of Esteban Ocon and Nico Hulkenberg are also driving for their new teams.
It’s also an opportunity for some of the more experienced drivers on the grid to hand over the reins to their younger counterparts.
Max Verstappen has started his winter break early, with Yuki Tsunoda given his first run in a Red Bull as he looks to prove his case to the team that he should replace Sergio Perez.
Aston Martin have allowed Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll to miss the post-season test, offering an opportunity to Felipe Drugovich and Jak Crawford.
Kimi Antonelli missed the beginning of testing due to illness but he ran for Mercedes in the afternoon session in Lewis Hamilton’s old car ahead of his F1 debut in 2026.
Martin Brundle was on the grid for Sky Sports F1 (8/12 12:37 pm) in Abu Dhabi and spoke to one youngster he thinks should be joining Antonelli in F1 soon.
Martin Brundle tells Felipe Drugovich he ‘shouldn’t have been’ bypassed by Formula 1
While doing his final grid walk of the season, Brundle stumbled upon Aston Martin reserve driver Drugovich and said: “Here’s a young man who should be on the grid next year, young Felipe Drugovich, Aston Martin.
“Are we ever going to see you on the grid in Formula 1 driving? I think you’ve been bypassed and you shouldn’t have been.”
Drugovich replied: “Yeah, I mean, that’s my dream, that’s what I’ve been working for for a long time.
READ MORE: Anthony Davidson outlines why he feels ‘sorry’ for Felipe Drugovich despite rare Aston Martin chance
“Hopefully, these FP1 sessions that I’ve been doing and the other work I’ve been doing within the team help me to get there and I’m working really hard for it.”
Brundle then gave Drugovich the command to: “Stick with it, keep with the dream!”
Aston Martin told who Felipe Drugovich should replace in the future
Drugovich couldn’t have done much more to prove that he’s worthy of an F1 seat.
Although it took him three seasons, the 24-year-old is a Formula 2 champion but that has ended up limiting his racing opportunities over the past two years.
He’s competed in the European Le Mans Series this year, but other than that, he’s been patiently waiting for his chance in the Aston Martin garage.
READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Former F1 driver Marc Surer said, via Motorsport-Total, after the race in Abu Dhabi, “I wonder, What would Drugovich get out of this car?” referring to Lance Stroll’s average weekend.
Drugovich returned to the forefront of people’s minds in Abu Dhabi because he was one of six young drivers given a run-out in FP1.
The Brazilian finished the session in ninth with a time of 1:25.471, which was 1.15 seconds slower than Charles Leclerc.
More importantly, Drugovich was faster than Fernando Alonso which would have raised a few eyebrows in the Aston Martin garage.
He duly handed Stroll’s car back to him for FP2 and although it’s hard to know exactly what car settings they were both running, Stroll’s best time was only eighth-tenths quicker in a session where Alonso improved his best lap time by more than a second.
Whether Drugovich is ever going to get his chance is yet to be seen, but Drugovich is eyeing a move to Cadillac in 2026 already if their F1 entry is confirmed.
Leave feedback about this