De Vries should serve as example: 'You often see that'

14:21, 20 Oct 2022
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Felipe Drugovich will join Aston Martin as Formula 2 world champion next season. The 22-year-old Brazilian hopes to make an immediate impression at the British formation as a reserve driver, but according to team boss Mike Krack, he mainly needs to be patient.

Lance Stroll's position is not under pressure for now, while Fernando Alonso has just made the switch from Alpine. Although the Spaniard is of considerable age for a Formula 1 driver, it seems that the two-time world champion intends to continue for a few more seasons.

Krack therefore thinks it is important that Drugovich realises that it could be some time before he has a permanent place in Formula 1. The team leader argues that he can take an example from Nyck de Vries who, after several seasons behind the scenes, will still get a chance at AlphaTauri next year.

"What you often see is that drivers who don't win the Formula 3 or Formula 2 title in their first year disappear into the background somewhere," Krack explained in conversation with Formule1.nl. "That has not been a fair judgement especially in Nyck's case."

Aston Martin considered Drugovich alongside Stroll

The team boss frankly reveals that he considered putting Drugovich in the place of the departing Sebastian Vettel. However, Aston Martin felt this would be too early, leaving the team to let the Brazilian driver make an interim move.