In 2025 there will be at least four rookies who graduate from the Formula 2 feeder series to F1, although neither team will be fielding Felipe Drugovich.
The Brazilian is still part of Aston Martin’s driver fold as their test and reserve driver, however the team has been reluctant to promote him despite Lance Stroll’s form in recent years.
Liam Lawson thinks the team is making a mistake not promoting Drugovich in favour of Stroll, who only scored only 24 points compared to Fernando Alonso’s 70 points.
Aston Martin had their fair share of problems last season, but Stroll was often victim of his own misfortune. The Canadian spun on the formation lap for the Brazilian GP just minutes after his mechanics worked around the clock to fix the damage he inflicted in qualifying.
When Stroll tried to rejoin the track he beached the car in the gravel, causing him to retire on the spot. Fans in the grandstands were heard chanting Drugovich’s name after the embarrassing gaffe.
Discussing why they think Drugovich has not yet got a seat on the grid, former F1 test driver for Williams Bruno Junqueira, believes there is one reason why this is the case.
Felipe Drugovich’s manager should have secured him a place on grid says former F1 test driver
Junqueira had a similar rise to F1 as Drugovich, with him winning the Formula 3000 championship and later getting a test role with Williams in 1999.
When discussing whether he thinks Drugovich missed out because it took him three seasons to win the title in F2, Junqueira believes there is one factor that he learned from his own career holding his compatriot back.
“I think so, for sure. If he had a good manager he would be in F1 and not running [as a test driver]. You need to have a good manager who will explain to the teams why it took you so long to win in the third year,” said Junqueira.
“When I saw that he went to Aston Martin I couldn’t believe it. I said ‘No Gabriel, I hope you win but you haven’t won the championship yet. It’s more important that your manager has influence. So when you’re winning, they are putting pressure on him to continue to deliver in front of teams.’ I didn’t have that and maybe neither did Felipe.”
Anthony Davidson ‘feels sorry’ for Felipe Drugovich
Given Stroll is unlikely to improve in 2025 if Aston Martin’s car produces similar results, it seems a shame to waste the seat to a driver who has become disillusioned.
Anthony Davidson said he feels ‘sorry’ for Drugovich after he was ‘waiting in the wings’ over the last few years, although there might be a new opportunity.
Cadillac has announced its intention to join the grid after taking over the Andretti F1 project, and although the team has been linked to Colton Herta there could still be a chance for Drugovich.
The Brazilian has extensive experience outside of F1, including racing in Le Mans as well as a range of prototypes.
