Brazilian football legend Ronaldo admits he can’t wait for 23-year-old driver to break into F1

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Brazilian football legend Ronaldo has suggested that he’s desperate for Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich to break into F1.

Ronaldo was speaking, via GP Brasil F1, and appears to be keeping a close eye on the sport during his retirement.

Brazil is one of the most obsessed countries in the world when it comes to Formula 1.

Interlagos has been a fixture on the F1 calendar since the 1970s with several drivers crowned at the track.

The home crowd had their hearts broken by Lewis Hamilton when he cruelly denied Felipe Massa his best chance of winning a world title.

However, Brazil has a rich history of producing some of the fastest drivers in the sport’s history.

Emerson Fittipaldi, Ayrton Senna, Rubens Barrichello and Nelson Piquet to name just a few.

Right now, there isn’t a Brazilian driver on the grid which seems mad.

Footballing legend Ronaldo has suggested that the time will soon come for Felipe Drugovich to break into F1.

The 23-year-old is currently Aston Martin’s reserve driver after winning Formula 2.

He looks ready to step up after starring in his latest free practice session in Abu Dhabi, but earning that opportunity is easier said than done.

Ronaldo wants to see Drugovich in F1

Speaking about the lack of a Brazilian driver on the grid, the World Cup winner said: “[Lewis] Hamilton is very dear to all of us Brazilians, but we will miss him. Felipe [Drugovich] is doing well, his time will come, but we miss a Brazilian competing in the races and for the title.”

The fact that Hamilton is so popular in the country despite his drive to deny Massa a championship speaks volumes about his character.

Interlagos has seen him take the chequered flag three times in his career and his teammate George Russell secured Mercedes last win at the circuit last year.

There are high hopes for Drugovich as he aims to break into F1 and Ronaldo is clearly aware of his talents.

He’s recently spoken about the chances of him replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams which is the only unconfirmed spot on the grid for 2024.

However, he may have to bide his time at Aston Martin for now, although the chances of him replacing Fernando Alonso or Lance Stroll seem slim.

He may have to look for an opportunity to open up elsewhere to make the final step up in his career.