Even F2 leftover champion in 2021, Oscar Pistri was without a starting driver at F1 in 2022. The Australian had to wait a year and now counts 50 GPS in the main category of motorsport. Winner of the Bahrain GP last weekend, was pointed out as one of the favorites to the title.
The story serves as an inspiration for Felipe Drugovich. F2 champion in 2022, the season following the title of Pistri, the Brazilian was also without a place in the upper category following. Only, from 2023, a post as a reserve and test pilot of Aston Martin at F1.
In recent weeks, the name of the 24-year-old Paraná has gained international prominence by being linked to one of the vacancies on the Cadillac team, which will debut in 2026 with the support of the US group Chevrolet. Druugovich is already the current pilot of the brand in long -term competitions, such as the 24 hours of Le Mans.
“Yes, we are having conversations, but it is natural that many riders are talking about it, because there are two new score on the grid for next year,” said the Brazilian, in an interview with Folha at Bahrain, where he participated in one of the free practice in place of Spanish Fernando Alonso.
Competition, in fact, is great on the new F1 team. Experienced professionals such as Mexican Sergio Pérez and Finnish Valtteri Bottas are being quoted. News and Americans like Indy’s Star, also appear on the list.
Another hypothesis for Brazil to have two representatives in the motor sport elite – the newcomer Gabriel Bortoleto, 20, is the holder of Sauber – is at Aston Martin herself.
Alonso has a contract for next year, but the team’s low performance in the early races this year can make Spanish think of other directions for 2026. It is also unknown until when the owner of the other car, Canadian Lance Stroll, will keep his motivation to continue on the team that has his father, Lawrence, as the main shareholder.
Druugovich was close to F1’s debut in 2023. Stroll had a bicycle accident and lost preseason training, but ended up doing the Bahrain GP, which opened that season in the sacrifice, still injured.
“This race would have changed all my career. It was a pity, but it is no use thinking negatively now,” said the Brazilian.
He has no regret that he was outside the main pilots academies. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, from Mercedes, Red Bull Isack Hadjar, and Jack Doohan, today at Alpine, are examples of riders from young talent programs that entered the grid in 2025.
“It was the right decision. It depends a lot on the relationship with the pilot academy. Some will give you everything, but keep you from having chances in other teams. I’m Aston Martin’s reserve pilot, without having any debit with the team. My position is good, and they would be happy to get a place elsewhere,” he said.
The opportunity to debut in 2026 is felt by Drugovich. In 2024, for the first time in over 70 years of F1 history, there was no change in the grid from one year to the next. But for this season there are six “newbies”. More than half of the grid teams bet on a young talent for 2025.
“Being F2 champion in 2022, in a way I am aware that we are losing strength with each passing year. But I am much more prepared and in shape now than in the past, just look at my performances in training.
“Every time I’m in the car I have the same pace as the holders, if not faster. I think about having a place in the future. Showing the work now, I don’t just say for next year to have a place … Maybe until 2027. This opportunity will arrive.
For this, he has the help of the Brazilian public from F1.
“The fan has to cheer and make noise, show that the Brazilian fans are the best they have. I’m doing my work as best as possible, perhaps quietly, that some may not understand, but I’m doing our best. We have to have the posture out of smiling and show that everything is fine, but I will not be happy until I have my place here and exhaust my chances.”
