Felipe Drugovich is searching for a full-time race seat after being stuck on the sidelines at Aston Martin in Formula 1.
The Brazilian enjoyed a successful junior career, winning the 2022 Formula 2 Championship in dominant fashion with five wins and 11 podiums and only finishing outside the points three times all season.
At the same time, Drugovich was acting as the test and reserve driver for Aston Martin in F1, and the 24-year-old is still in that role in the 2024 season.
Drugovich had been hoping for a full-time seat in 2025, but team owner Lawrence Stroll has opted to retain Fernando Alonso on a multi-year deal, as well as his son Lance Stroll, leaving the Brazilian once again on the bench.
With a small number of seats left for 2025, a move to F1 looks incredibly unlikely for Drugovich as he hopes to find a race seat for next season.
Felipe Drugovich should be ‘assiduously’ looking at other categories if he stays as reserve driver at Aston Martin
The Brazilian has not competed full-time in any category since he won the F2 title in 2022. In fact, his only appearances in racing have been in this season’s European Le Mans Series, taking part in four races.
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Off the back of these appearances, former F1 driver Felipe Massa has predicted Drugovich to move to the WEC for 2025, with Aston Martin entering the Hypercar class next year with their Adrian Newey-inspired Valkyrie.
IndyCar is also a potential option, with Drugovich set to have a test with Chip Ganassi Racing at Barber Motorsport Park on September 30. Speaking with Motorsport Brasil, Ivan Bruno pinpointed what the Brazilian should ask Aston Martin, in the wake of the CGR test, about his future with the team.
“I, being Drugovich at this point, I would start looking at other markets more assiduously, or I would try [to understand] politics in what the future of Aston Martin will be like,” he said.
“Maybe, I don’t know, Lawrence [Stroll] thinks ‘look, it’s really my son, he’s not in a position. I think Verstappen in another, Alonso is retiring, maybe he’ll have the chance.
“If I were Drugovich, I would start looking more assiduously, having a more concrete answer from Aston Martin: what will happen to my career in 2025/2026? ‘Oh no, it’s always supposed to be reserve [driver]’, so I would start talking to IndyCar or with other categories.”
Is IndyCar a realistic move for Felipe Drugovich?
It is becoming clear that Drugovich’s future does not lie with Aston Martin or indeed F1 at all, so a move to another category like IndyCar would be a good move.
The test with CGR will present a great opportunity for the 24-year-old to prove himself in a new series. The team is one of the most established and successful squads in IndyCar, with Alex Palou winning his third title with the team in 2024.
However, a move to CGR permanently in 2025 may not be likely for Drugovich. Palou and Scott Dixon are confirmed for next season and, while there is currently a third seat going vacant, it is anticipated that Kyffin Simpson is set to be retained.
There are a few seats available for 2025 in IndyCar, and indeed in the WEC, so Drugovich will be faced with a choice as to where he will end up come next season.