Red Bull’s Liam Lawson admits to being baffled by the absence from the F1 grid of Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich.
Lawson, who was recently been announced as Max Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate for the 2025 season, highlighted the Brazilian’s exceptional talent and performances, and believes it’s “crazy” that he is without a permanent drive.
The young New Zealander pointed to Drugovich’s standout performances in FP1 sessions during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, including a notable session in Abu Dhabi.
“It’s crazy that he’s out,” Lawson remarked, according to Marca. “If anyone deserves a seat now, it’s Drugovich.
“He certainly deserves a seat. He was faster than Lance Stroll in FP1 at last year’s Abu Dhabi GP and finished the session in third position. And in 2024 he was also faster than Fernando Alonso in practice.”
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Drugovich, the 2022 FIA F2 champion, has spent recent seasons as Aston Martin’s reserve driver, where he impressed in limited on-track opportunities.
Despite consistently strong performances, such as outpacing two-time World Champion Alonso in practice, the 24-year-old has struggled to break into the F1 grid, with many teams prioritizing younger or more experienced drivers.
Sky Sports F1 commentator Anthony Davidson echoed Lawson's view, expressing his sympathy for the 24-year-old’s situation.
The ex-F1 driver acknowledged the Brazilian’s successful career, including his F2 championship title, but lamented his lack of opportunity in F1.
“Here’s one driver that I feel a little bit sorry for, Drugovich,” Davidson said, commenting after the Brazilian’s FP1 session in Abu Dhabi earlier this month when he indeed outpaced Alonso.
“I really rate him, a champion of his own right in F2, and he’s been waiting in the wings for way too long, and he’s driving brilliantly out here.”
Drugovich has remained embedded in the Aston Martin team, gaining valuable insights and experience, but Team Silverstone’s insistence on carrying its current lineup into 2025 has closed the door for the talented Brazilian.
Drugovich’s Formula 2 championship-winning campaign in 2022 marked him as one of the most promising young drivers of his generation.
Many of his peers, including Charles Leclerc and George Russell, transitioned from F2 into F1 and have gone on to achieve significant success.
However, Drugovich has not yet followed the same trajectory, instead finding himself on the sidelines or competing in endurance racing.
The Brazilian is set to join Cadillac Whelen in 2025 for a campaign in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, a move that could perhaps put him on Cadillac’s radar for 2026 when the American manufacturer joins F1.
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