Drugovich renews contract with Aston Martin for 2024 and will drive in training in Abu Dhabi

A Aston Martin confirmed this Thursday that Felipe Drugovich will continue to serve as reserve and development driver for the team in the 2024 season. Formula 1. The Brazilian driver, tipped to become a starter next year, was also confirmed in one of the team’s seats for the first free practice session at the Abu Dhabi GP, the last one this season, in the United Arab Emirates.

Drugovich was one of those tipped to be promoted to next season’s F1 grid. The Brazilian had been speculated about at Williams in recent weeks due to the poor performance of American Logan Sargeant, who does not yet have a contract with the British team for 2024. This is the only vacant seat on the grid for the next championship.

With the renewal to continue as a reserve for Aston Martin, Drugovich practically gives up his starting place in F-1 for 2024. Brazil has not had a driver on the championship grid since 2017, when Felipe Massa last drove Williams.

“I am very proud to continue working with Aston Martin for another season. This year, I learned a lot, not only on the track, but also in working with the engineers in the simulator and in the development program they established for me”, declared the Brazilian.

Drugovich has already surpassed the 6,000 kilometer mark driving different Aston Martin models, with more than 20 days in the simulator, since joining the team in 2022. “I’m proud of the contribution I’ve been making to the development of the AMR23 model,” commented the Brazilian , which has major sponsors, such as the XP brokerage.

The driver won praise from Aston Martin boss Mike Krack. “Everyone on the team is very happy to have Felipe with us in 2024. He has already become a familiar face to us, he understands the particularities of his role, has a tremendous work ethic and has shown his speed and experience, especially after replacing Lance Stroll in pre-season testing”, commented the manager.

The team also confirmed that the Brazilian will be one of the team’s drivers in the first free practice session of the Abu Dhabi GP, in the United Arab Emirates, at the end of the month. He will replace Spaniard Fernando Alonso. It will be the second time this year that Drugovich will drive the car in free practice. The first happened in September, at the Italian GP, ​​when he replaced Stroll. Previously, he was in pre-season testing, also occupying the Canadian’s seat.