Drugovich gets to prove himself during FP1 Monza: 'Fantastic opportunity'

General

Stroll relinquishes seat during VT1 to Drugovich at Monza this weekend
29 August 2023 at 14:47
Last update 29 August 2023 at 16:19
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  • Toby McLuskie

Felipe Drugovich takes over Lance Stroll's seat in the first free practice for the Italian Grand Prix. It is not the first time this season that Aston Martin's reserve driver has stepped into the AMR23. Earlier this year, he replaced Stroll during winter testing when the Canadian injured his wrist.

Drugovich happy with opportunity

"I can't wait to get back behind the wheel of the AMR23. The car felt great when I drove it in pre-season testing and it will be fascinating to feel how it has improved since then. I've spent a lot of time in the simulator helping to develop the car, so understanding how that correlates to the real thing will be super valuable for me too," Drugovich commented.

The 23-year-old driver speaks of a "fantastic opportunity". "It's also a fantastic opportunity for me to demonstrate what I've learnt through my testing programme. Since Bahrain, I've done many more miles in an F1 car so I have an even better understanding of how I can deliver valuable feedback for the team." This year, Drugovich has already driven the 2021 AMR21 at circuits such as Silverstone, Barcelona and the Red Bull Ring.

Team boss Mike Krack is curious to see how Drugovich will fare. "He demonstrated his capabilities in pre-season testing, with a vital contribution to the team's initial development of the car. Monza will offer another chance for Felipe to work closely with the engineers and mechanics and build his confidence in a critical session for the team."

Drugovich in action at Monza this weekend