Aston Martin driver to reject joining Formula 1 rival to race new series in 2024

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Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich will reject the chance to join Alfa Romeo when the F1 team returns to Sauber branding and pursue a seat on the Formula E grid.

That is according to Joe Saward, who claims that Drugovich is targeting a move to FE for the 2024 season. The 23-year-old had hoped a year on the sidelines at Aston Martin would pave a path onto the Formula 1 grid. But Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are both set to stay on.

Drugovich could only book a reserve driver role at Aston Martin for the 2023 season to stay in the F1 paddock. He won the Formula 2 title in 2022 in dominant fashion with a 101-point advantage to Theo Pourchaire. The Sauber-backed driver currently leads the table in 2023.

Zhou’s Alfa Romeo seat is at risk ahead of the Sauber name returning

Yet, like Drugovich, Pourchaire is not guaranteed a route into F1 for the 2024 season, despite his Sauber ties. Alfa Romeo will return to using the Sauber name next year with their naming rights deal with the Italian car manufacturer expiring after Audi bought the team to enter F1.

Sauber will not become a factory Audi team until 2026, so cash is still king for the other seat beside Valtteri Bottas. Zhou Guanyu is in contention to keep the drive for a third season. But the 24-year-old’s seat remains at risk as the Chinese driver does not help his team’s budget.

Drugovich will reject the chance to leave Aston Martin to enter F1

It could come down to Sauber deciding between Zhou and Pourchaire for who joins Bottas in 2024. Drugovich will reject the chance to take the seat, if offered, as he does not want to get the tag of being a pay driver. The Brazilian also does not have the funding that Sauber want.

So, Drugovich is targeting a move to a new series with eyes on racing in Formula E next year. He will also stay on as Aston Martin’s reserve driver for rounds that do not clash with the FE calendar. It is likely that Drugovich will be in contention for a Formula E drive with Maserati.

Maserati have already had Drugovich in their car for two rookie sessions this year. They put the Brazilian in for the Berlin Rookie Test in April and for the Rookie Free Practice session for July’s Rome E-Prix. Drugovich posted the fastest times in both sessions to further his bid.