Aston Martin: 'Ultimate validation if he becomes F1 driver in the future'

Aston Martin announced on Monday that Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich will join the team as a junior and reserve driver. The team cannot wait for the arrival of the Brazilian.

"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", begins team principal Mike Krack in the Aston Martin press release.

Big boss Lawrence Stroll is also very happy with the arrival of the F2 champion. Until now, Aston Martin was the only team that didn't have its own development programme for young drivers. Drugovich's arrival will change that. "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."

Drugovich to be Aston Martin F1 driver in future?

Aston Martin has closely followed Drugovich during his season in F2. The team offered him the contract on Saturday, immediately after his title victory in the class. Stroll is already hinting that he would like to see Drugovich drive in Formula 1.

"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 One driver, joining the great pantheon of Brazilian racing drivers such as Emerson Fittipaldi and Ayrton Senna", the Canadian says.