'Two F1 reserve drivers and ex-Marussia driver added to Formula E test day'
- GPblog.com
Formula 1 reserve drivers Felipe Drugovich and Robert Shwartzman will be in action at the Formula E test day on 24 April. The Race reports that both drivers have been confirmed for the rookie test day in Berlin, along with former Formula 1 driver Will Stevens.
Several familiar names had already been confirmed for the test, including former Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat, one-time Formula 1 driver Jack Aitken, and Red Bull Junior driver Zane Maloney and Alpine junior Victor Martins from Formula 2. Now, three drivers with connections to Formula 1 are again added to the line-up.
Drugovich is currently a reserve driver for Aston Martin, and may also be called up by McLaren due to a special deal. The Brazilian became champion in Formula 2 last season and looked close to making his Formula 1 debut earlier this season. Due to Lance Stroll's bike accident prior to the start of the season, the Canadian could not take part in the test days, and so Drugovich was called up to take over from him. The team also confirmed that Drugovich would fill in should Stroll not recover in time for the first race. However, it did not come to that. During the Formula E test, Drugovich will drive for Maserati.
Shwartzman takes place alongside Marussia driver
Shwartzman is no unfamiliar face in the F1 paddock either, having been a test and reserve driver for Ferrari for several years. In addition, the Russian-Israeli driver has also earned his pedigree in Formula 2, where he finished the 2021 season second behind Oscar Piastri. This season, Shwartzman will compete in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. During the Formula E test, Shwartzman will drive for DS Penske, alongside former Formula 1 driver Will Stevens. Stevens competed once for Caterham's Formula 1 team in 2014 and drove for Marussia in the following season.