Aston Martin earmarks Drugovich for FP1 in Abu Dhabi

Aston Martin has announced that reserve driver Felipe Drugovich will be back behind the wheel of the team’s AMR24 next week in Abu Dhabi.

The Brazilian driver will replace Lance Stroll for the one-hour session before the Canadian returns to the cockpit for FP2.

The outing will mark Drugovich’s second FP1 appearance of the season, following his run at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Following his FP1 outing, Drugovich will continue his on-track duties with Aston Martin by participating in the post-season test at Yas Marina Circuit where fellow young talent Jak Crawford will also be in action.

"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,” commented Drugovich.

“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.

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“It will be great to get a feel for the 2025 Pirelli tyres that the Formula 1 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."

Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack commended Drugovich’s performance and outlined the importance of his contributions.

“We are delighted to offer Felipe further opportunities to drive the AMR24 during Free Practice One and the end-of-season test at Yas Marina,” Krack said.

“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."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.