Aston Martin F1 Test and Reserve Driver Felipe Drugovich will drive the AMR24 for the first time this season in free practice one at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Friday. Unwell F1 two-time world champion Fernando Alonso will take over in free practice 2, the British outfit confirmed on Thursday.
Brazilian driver Felipe Drugovich is set for a new career challenge this weekend, driving the AMR24 for the first time at the Mexico Grand Prix in free practice one, complying with the two FP1-mandated sessions under the rookie status.
Moreover, the Aston Martin F1 test and reserve driver will make his first outing this season in the highest venue on the Formula One calendar, the legendary Autodromo Hermano Rodriguez in Mexico City, resting 2,260 meters above sea level.
The 24-year-old racer, who has been working on the development of the AMR24 in the team’s simulator throughout the year, commented: “I’m really excited to drive the AMR24 for the first time. I’ve been looking forward to it for a while!
“It will be valuable for me to feel the correlation between the sim and the real thing.”
Addressing the challenges posed by the circuit, Drugovich outlined: “Autdromo Hermanos Rodrguez is a track I haven’t driven before. It’s a challenging circuit with a mix of long straights and technical corners.”
Aston Martin enters the second leg of an all-American triple header in fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship on 86 points.
Mike Krack, Aston Martin Team Principal, said: “We’re excited to give Felipe this first opportunity to drive the AMR24 during Free Practice One in Mexico. Felipe is regularly in Silverstone on our simulator, contributing towards the development of this car with his detailed and thoughtful feedback, so it will be a rewarding experience for him to get out on track in Mexico.
“During the session, Felipe will be working his way through the team’s run plan, collecting vital data to support our decision-making throughout the rest of the weekend, and aiding with the set-up of the car.”
It is a special weekend for the British outfit, celebrating two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso’s unprecedented milestone as he reaches his 400th Grand Prix at the pinnacle of motorsport.
On Thursday, the team shared through social media that the 43-year-old Spaniard wasn’t feeling well, deciding to skip media day at the Mexico GP to focus on being 100 percent fit for Friday’s FP2.
Fernando Alonso is feeling unwell and…
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