Felipe Drugovich, Aston Martin's reserve driver, has suggested a radical solution to give drivers like him the opportunity to showcase their talent in Formula 1.
Currently, Drugovich finds himself in a situation familiar to many promising young drivers, including reigning F2 champion Theo Pourchaire, where despite significant accomplishments, the step up to a full-time F1 race seat remains elusive.
The 2022 Formula 2 champion recently got some track time in Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin during Friday's practice session in Mexico. "It was the first time I had taken the wheel of the 2024 car, so I took a few laps to feel the car and after that I was able to push," Drugovich told France's Auto Hebdo. "It was great to be back in a Formula 1 car."
However, despite this opportunity, Drugovich has no race seat lined up for 2025. Earlier in the year, there was talk of introducing a special sprint race for reserve drivers during the post-season Abu Dhabi test, but that idea was ultimately shelved.
Drugovich now proposes a more radical idea, which he calls a "simple solution to the problem" of talented drivers remaining idle. He points to the example of MotoGP, saying, "MotoGP has wild cards." But while acknowledging that Formula 1 cannot introduce a third car, he suggested an alternative: "Most of the drivers are already saying that 24 races is too many.
"So if they have to give up one FP1 session, why not give up a whole weekend?"
