2022 F2 Champion Felipe Drugovich joins Aston Martin F1 as Development driver

2022 Formula 2 Champion Felipe Drugovich has joined Aston Martin F1 Driver Development Programme the team has confirmed.

The Brazilian is fresh from winning the Championship at Monza this past weekend and is the latest F2 driver to join Formula 1, following in the footsteps of Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Nyck de Vries and Oscar Piastri.

Along with confirming Drugovich as part of its Driver Development programme, the team also intends to run the Brazilian in FP1 for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November in place of Lance Stroll. Drugovich will also be taking part in the young driver test for the team in the days following the race.

"Becoming a member of the AMF1 Driver Development Programme is a fantastic opportunity for me – and only adds to what has been an extremely enjoyable and successful 2022 season," Drugovich said.

"Winning in Formula 2 has long been regarded as the best possible launchpad into a career in Formula 1, and I see my role at AMF1 as giving me all the tools to take that crucial next step.

"For me, 2023 will be a learning curve: I will be working with the F1 team, but my primary goal is to learn and develop as a driver.

"I hope that will give me an opportunity to race in Formula 1 in the future."

Aston Martin Team Principal said that the MP Motorsport driver’s consistency this season had impressed the team and looked forward to welcoming the F2 Champion to the team at the finale in Abu Dhabi.

"Felipe has shown incredible talent, determination, and consistency to win this year's FIA Formula 2 Championship – I particularly remember his fantastic Sprint and Feature victories at Barcelona in May, which were hugely impressive.

"We are delighted that he is joining us as a member of our Driver Development Programme, and we look forward to welcoming him as part of our team in Abu Dhabi this November."

Team owner Lawrence Stroll said that the signing of Drugovich was a fantastic way of driving on the team for the future. He added that he watched the Brazilian’s success and Championship win this season and was hugely impressed with his driving and potential.

"I am hugely proud to have inaugurated the AMF1 Driver Development Programme: I am a big believer in rewarding young talent, and this is a fantastic way to help develop the next generation of racing drivers.

"We have watched and admired Felipe's path to success in Formula 2 this year, and we aim to provide him with all the skills and experience necessary to be able to take the next step in his career.

"In the fullness of time, it would be the ultimate validation if he were to become a Formula 1 driver, joining the great pantheon of Brazilian racing drivers such as Emerson Fittipaldi and Ayrton Senna."