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Felipe Drugovich to Depart Aston Martin for Formula E Drive

Felipe Drugovich to Depart Aston Martin for Formula E Drive

Summary
Felipe Drugovich, Aston Martin's reserve driver, is set to leave the F1 team at the end of the season to join Andretti Global in Formula E. The move offers the 2022 F2 champion a full-time racing seat, a commitment incompatible with his current F1 role. Drugovich expressed excitement for his return to competitive racing after years as a reserve.

Aston Martin is set to bid farewell to its reserve driver, Felipe Drugovich, as the Brazilian prepares to join Andretti Global in Formula E. This move signals a new chapter for Drugovich, who has spent the past few years on the sidelines, eager to return to full-time competitive racing. His Formula E commitments are incompatible with his current role at the British F1 team, leading to his departure at the end of the current season.

Why it matters:

After years as a reserve driver, Drugovich's move to Formula E with a prominent team like Andretti Global marks a significant step in his career. It offers him a full-time racing seat, which is crucial for a driver who won the Formula 2 championship and is looking to prove his mettle in a competitive environment outside of the limited opportunities in F1.

The Details:

  • Departure from Aston Martin: Drugovich will conclude his tenure as Aston Martin's reserve driver at the end of this season, with the team releasing him to commence his Formula E duties.
  • Andretti Global Move: The 2022 Formula 2 champion will join the American Andretti squad for the 2025/26 Formula E campaign, as previously reported by GPblog.
  • Long-Awaited Opportunity: Drugovich confirmed his excitement, stating that discussions with Andretti have been ongoing since his Formula 2 title win, culminating in this new multi-year deal.
  • Return to Racing: Drugovich expressed his immense motivation to get back on track, highlighting the significance of competing in every session rather than serving solely as a reserve.
  • Focus on Success: He voiced confidence in Andretti's resources and his potential to achieve success, looking forward to a memorable new chapter.
  • Anticipating Formula E: Drugovich had previously considered Formula E a serious option, especially with the introduction of Gen4 cars in 2026/27, though he will make the switch earlier.

Between the lines:

Drugovich's move underscores the limited pathways into full-time F1 seats, even for highly talented F2 champions. It also highlights Formula E's growing appeal as a viable and competitive racing series for drivers seeking substantial careers outside of F1. While he will miss the sound of F1 engines, the prospect of consistent racing is a far more compelling draw.

What's next:

Drugovich will transition to full-time racing with Andretti Global in Formula E for the 2025/26 season, marking a pivotal moment in his career. His performance in the electric championship will be closely watched, as he aims to establish himself as a frontrunner in a new domain.

Original Article :https://www.gpblog.com/en/exclusive-news/aston-martin-say-goodbye-to-longtime-re...

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