Breaking into Formula 1 is challenging, and winning championships throughout the junior categories doesn’t always guarantee a seat at the highest level.
Young drivers can be overlooked for an F1 seat despite competing for championships over their career for financial reasons, as money is so important to be competitive in Formula 1.
Felipe Drugovich has been consistently quick over his career and won the Formula 2 championship in 2022 for MP Motorsport.
Taking that title has seen Charles Leclerc and George Russell move up to Formula 1 and win races at the highest level for Ferrari and Mercedes.
Drugovich hasn’t yet found a seat in F1 despite having links to Aston Martin, and he is switching his focus to IMSA next year with Cadillac.
Anthony Davidson explained on Sky Sports F1 (6/12 9:59) why he sympathises with Drugovich despite a successful career so far.
Anthony Davidson feels ‘sorry’ for Felipe Drugovich as he’s beem ‘waiting in the wings’
Drugovich has been embedded within the Aston Martin team but is unlikely to get a full-time race seat with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll already secured for 2025.
The Brazilian has had the rare opportunity to compete in first practice ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit to gain more experience.
Drugovich drove well over the one-hour session and finished in ninth place ahead of his much more experienced teammate at the British team, Alonso.
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Davidson commented that the Aston Martin driver has been competing well in first practice but it is a shame he hasn’t found his way onto the grid.
He said: “Here’s one driver that I feel a little bit sorry for, Drugovich. I really rate him, a champion of his own right in F2, and he’s been waiting in the wings for way too long, and he’s driving brilliantly out here.”
Drugovich may have the opportunity to sign for Cadillac in 2026 when the American manufacturer joins the grid but he hasn’t competed in single-seaters for multiple seasons.
Felipe Drugovich may have lost some sharpness after not racing in single-seaters since 2022
Drugovich performed admirably during his Formula 2 championship-winning campaign but hasn’t raced a single-seater since.
The Brazilian has raced at Le Mans as well as a range of prototypes, but single-seaters are very different with more downforce and a distinct driving style.
This lack of single-seater racing in recent seasons may push Formula 1 teams to look for other drivers who are slightly younger and have more recent experience driving on Formula 1 circuits.
A year of racing in IMSA next season will be a great experience but it is rare to see a driver switch from endurance racing back to Formula 1.
