F1: Drugovich to drive Practice 1 at Monza
The Aston Martin F1 Team announced that Felipe Drugovich will take part in Free Practice 1 during the Italian Grand Prix later this week.
Teams are required to run two junior drivers in FP1 or tire testing each year.
Felipe, the team’s Test & Reserve Driver, will participate in the 60-minute session at Autodromo Nazionale Monza: the circuit at which he secured his FIA Formula 2 title just 12 months ago. The session will mark Felipe’s return to the AMR23, after he ably stood in for an injured Lance Stroll during pre-season testing in Bahrain.
The upcoming practice session is the next stage in Felipe’s development following a tailored testing program that has seen the Brazilian driver run the AMR21 at some of Europe’s most renowned circuits, including Silverstone, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and the Red Bull Ring. The bespoke program is designed to equip Felipe with the necessary skills and experience to compete at the highest level of motorsport, aiding his continuous development as a driver.
Felipe Drugovich, AMF1 Team Reserve & Test Driver, said:
“I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of the AMR23. The car felt great when I drove it in pre-season testing and it will be fascinating to feel how it has improved since then. I’ve spent a lot of time in the simulator helping to develop the car, so understanding how that correlates to the real thing will be super valuable for me too.
“It’s also a fantastic opportunity for me to demonstrate what I’ve learned through my testing program. Since Bahrain I’ve done many more miles in an F1 car so I have an even better understanding of how I can deliver valuable feedback for the team.
“I’d like to thank Aston Martin for trusting me with this opportunity, as well as our Brazilian partners XP, Porto Seguro and Banco Master for their continued support.”
Mike Krack, AMF1 Team Principal, said:
“We are delighted to be able to provide Felipe with another opportunity to drive the AMR23. He demonstrated his capabilities in pre-season testing, with a vital contribution to the team’s initial development of the car. Monza will offer another chance for Felipe to work closely with the engineers and mechanics and build his confidence in a critical session for the team. We look forward to maximizing this session together.”
The Brazilian driver will take the place of Lance Stroll for this weekend’s opening practice session, with Lance returning to the AMR23 for FP2.