Aston Martin, 9th and penultimate in the 2022 Constructors’ World Championship, has announced Felipe Drugovich of Paraná as its new test and development driver. The official announcement was made on Monday and activities are already planned for the current Formula 1 season. The Brazilian was Formula 2 champion last Saturday.
The regular campaign in 2022, including a title with four stages to spare, did not secure a starting spot for next year. The 22-year-old Drugovich has found himself in a situation common to many entry drivers – lacking big sponsors and not being part of major teams’ youth driver programs. Even so, there were rumors of teams like Alpine and AlphaTauri.
In the announcement note of the Brazilian, Aston Martin also announced the presence of Felipe in the first free practice in Abu Dhabi as well as the activity planned for the young drivers of the teams which compete in Formula 1. The stage is scheduled for the weekend -end of November 20.
For 2023, Aston Martin will start with Canadian Lance Stroll, son of the team’s main shareholder, and double world champion Fernando Alonso, who replaces Sebastian Vettel, who is retiring at the end of the year. Under contract, Drugovich has the support to terminate the contract in the event of a departure proposal in another Formula 1 team.
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