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New Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich finally got his Formula 1 affiliation this week when Aston Martin hired him as a development driver.
Many starting teams such as Red Bull, Alpine and Ferrari have passed up the chance to sign the talented Brazilian driver, but their loss is Aston Martin’s gain.
All told, Drugovich has won five races in the side series so far in 2022, and won’t even have to be on the track in the sprint at the Italian Grand Prix.
The 22-year-old was injured on the first lap of Saturday’s race, but it didn’t matter as second-placed Theo Pourchaire ended up with 17 points.th.
read: Will the 22-year-old Brazilian replace Pierre Gasly at AlphaTauri?
Somehow, until now, the MP Motorsport driver hasn’t been noticed by any team at the pinnacle of motorsport all season.
Team boss Lawrence Stroll has bought Fernando Alonso to replace retiring Sebastian Vettel by signing the man who won the F2 title from Oscar Piastri his latest business.
The Australian will be racing at McLaren next year with Lando Norris, who has been off for a season, so this will give Drugovich hope, and maybe even hope, that he can be in 2024. find a place in the competition.
Aston Martin intend to run their new driver in the first practice session at the final round of the year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix before promoting him to a test and reserve role next season.
“As part of the program, Felipe will be one of the team’s reserve drivers,” they said in a statement.
“The intention of the team is for him to drive FP1 (in place of Lance Stroll) at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and to take part in the Young Drivers Test at Yas Marina Circuit in November.
“For 2023, he will be running an extensive testing programme behind the wheel of the 2021 AMR21 car and will compete in selected Grand Prix races as a team member.”
Drugovich is delighted with his arrival at Silverstone, which he hopes is the start of a thriving F1 career.
“Being part of the AMF1 driver development program is a fantastic opportunity for me – and will only make the 2022 season a very enjoyable and successful season,” he said.
“Winning in Formula 2 has long been considered the best start to a career in Formula 1, and I think my role in AMF1 gives me all the tools to take that crucial next step.
“2023 will be a learning curve for me: I’ll be working with an F1 team, but my main goal is to learn and develop as a driver.
read: ‘This is my last season’: Racer warns about his career
“I hope this will give me the opportunity to compete in Formula 1 in the future.”
Drugovich is the sixth F2 champion since the new name was adopted in 2017, ahead of Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Nyck de Vries, Mick Schumacher and Piastri.
Meanwhile, MP Motorsport is still vying for the constructors’ championship with ART at Yas Marina Circuit in November.
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