F1 News: Drugovich to drive Aston Martin F1 car in Abu Dhabi FP1

The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team today announced that Felipe Drugovich will participate in Free Practice One during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Felipe, the team’s Test & Reserve Driver, will take the place of Lance Stroll for the hour-long session at Yas Marina Circuit before Lance returns to the AMR24 for FP2. The session marks Felipe’s second FP1 outing of the 2024 season, following his successful run at the Mexico City Grand Prix. His participation aligns with the team’s commitment to fulfilling the FIA’s rookie driver requirements and furthering Felipe’s development within the Aston Martin Aramco team.

Aston Martin Aramco can also confirm that Felipe will drive during the end-of-season test held at Yas Marina Circuit. The announcement finalizes the team’s testing line-up, with Felipe and Jak Crawford each behind the wheel of an AMR24 for the season’s final day of running.

Felipe Drugovich, Test & Reserve Driver, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, said: “I’m really excited to drive the AMR24 again, and this time at Yas Marina — a circuit that I know well from completing many testing laps there. It will be great to see how the car feels in a completely different environment compared to Mexico, and I’m looking forward to building on what I learned during my first FP1 session earlier this year. It will be great to get a feel for the 2025 Pirelli tires that the Formula One cars will be running next year, too.

“Driving the AMR24 is always a fantastic opportunity, and I’m grateful to Aston Martin Aramco for trusting me with this second session as well as the end-of-season test. Also, a big thank you to Banco Master for their ongoing support.”

Mike Krack, Team Principal, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, said: “We are delighted to offer Felipe Drugovich  further opportunities to drive the AMR24 during Free Practice One and the end-of-season test at Yas Marina. Felipe demonstrated his capabilities and provided valuable feedback during his outing in Mexico, and these sessions will give him a chance to continue building on the 8,200km of experience he already has behind the wheel of a Formula One car. Felipe’s work during FP1 will contribute directly to our data gathering and decision-making for the rest of the weekend, and we know he will provide insightful and valuable feedback.

“It’s great to have two young drivers behind the wheel of our cars for the end-of-season test, further demonstrating our commitment to their experience and development. Both Felipe and Jak spend significant time in our simulator at the AMRTC, and time on track is invaluable for correlation, ultimately enhancing their feedback.”