Felipe Drugovich, test and reserve driver for Aston Martin, will step into Fernando Alonso’s car ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The team announced this on Tuesday. The young Brazilian will take on the first free practice session in Sakhir. As the rookie rules for the current Formula 1 season have been tightened, inexperienced drivers will increasingly be deployed during training sessions.
The 24-year-old Felipe Drugovich can hardly be called inexperienced anymore. According to an official press release from Aston Martin, the Brazilian has already driven more than a thousand kilometers in Formula 1 cars. He will add a few more kilometers during the first free practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix. At the same time, he also needs to gather important information for the team.
Rookie Appearances
“I am very happy to be able to drive the Formula 1 car again, especially so early in the season,” he responded. “I have prepared with the simulator to get a feel for the car, and I know the Bahrain International Circuit well – I enjoy driving there. I would like to thank the team for their ongoing support,” he concluded. “We are delighted to offer Felipe Drugovich this opportunity,” added team boss Andy Cowell. “He is a crucial part of our simulator program and continually shares valuable feedback. He will do a great job again during the first free practice.”
Formula 1 teams had to put a rookie in the car during a free practice session twice per season in the past years. In 2025, that number has doubled; teams now have to deploy an inexperienced driver four times a year. Felipe Drugovich will likely have to take action much more often. With the large number of street circuits and no less than six sprint weekends, that is easier said than done.
Drugovich won the Formula 2 championship with the Dutch MP Motorsport in 2022. Since then, he has been working as a test and reserve driver in Aston Martin’s training program. In 2023 and 2024, he made many laps on behalf of the British during several free practice sessions and test sessions.
