Felipe Drugovich joins Aston Martin

Aston Martin have confirmed that Felipe Drugovich is joining them on the back of him sealing the Formula 2 title at the Italian Grand Prix.

Drugovich took five race wins over the course of the 2022 season and sealed the championship at Monza, though an early incident meant he was celebrating in the pitlane at the end of round 13 rather than out on track as he had to retire.

The Brazilian was not tied to a driver programme this season, either, showing that there are other routes to being successful in single-seater motorsport but he has now joined Aston Martin’s initiative as their first member.

The team confirmed via a statement:

“Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team (AMF1) is delighted to announced that newly crowned Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich has become the first member of its Driver Development Programme.

“The 22-year-old Brazilian won five races to clinch the 2022 FIA Formula 2 Championship at Monza last weekend and signed his contract with AMF1 on the very day he was crowned champion.

“The Driver Development Programme has been designed in concert with AMF1’s engineers and management and is intended to provide a stairway for junior drivers to reach Formula One. 

“As a member of the programme, Felipe will become one of the team’s reserve drivers. The team’s intention is for him to drive in FP1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (substituting for Lance Stroll) and to also take part in November’s young driver test at the Yas Marina Circuit. For 2023, he will undertake an extensive test programme behind the wheel of the 2021 AMR21 car and will attend selected Grands Prix as a member of the team.”

“Becoming a member of the AMF1 Driver Development Programme is a fantastic opportunity for me – and only adds to