Felipe Drugovich has been without a full-time single-seater racing drive since he claimed the Formula 2 title in 2022.
Since then, he has filled in as a test and reserve driver for Aston Martin in Formula 1, but is yet to receive the big opportunity that his performances have warranted.
Although IndyCar may not be where he pictured his career going in his younger years, he has just completed his maiden test for Chip Ganassi Racing.
It’s a great benchmark to start his foray into North American motorsports with what is arguably the best team in the series currently, who know who to set drivers up for success.
Felipe Drugovich conducts ‘real good job’ in maiden IndyCar test
Chip Ganassi have housed both Scott Dixon and Alex Palou for multiple years, who are probably the two most successful drivers on the current grid.
It means that they know what a good driver looks like when he hits the track, making their praise of Drugovich all the more impressive.
Speaking about the Brazilian’s performance to RACER, Chip Ganassi’s performance director Chris Simmons revealed that it’s handy to have his phone number.
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“You never know when you’re when you’re going to have an opening, and you don’t always have a chance to test people when you do have an opening,” he said.
“So it’s good to get this under our belts and keep Felipe in our contact list. And certainly, I think he showed the speed to be able to join the IndyCar Series in the future and do a real good job wherever he lands.”
Where will Drugovich go for 2025?
Unless he intends to spend a whole year away from full-time racing again, Drugovich probably needs to make use of what could be some of the best years of his career over the next few seasons.
For 2025 at least, there is no opportunity for him in Formula 1, and there likely won’t be unless Lance Stroll leaves the Aston Martin outfit.
IndyCar seems just as improbable, with five seats across three teams left, competing against drivers with a lot of sponsorship.
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He could remain in the European Le Mans series, but there’s a question to be posed as to whether that’s good for his development.
Maybe a move across the world to Japan to race in Super Formula would be a clever move, helping him to stay up to speed in machinery which is between the levels of a Formula 1 and Formula 2 car.