Drugovich’s Formula E Move: Why Aston Martin’s Rising Star Is Trading F1 Dreams for Electric Racing Glory
The life of a reserve driver in Formula 1 is a strange paradox. You’re in the elite club, wearing the team gear, surrounded by the pinnacle of motorsport, yet you’re perpetually on the outside looking in. For Felipe Drugovich, Aston Martin’s reserve and the 2022 Formula 2 champion, this reality has been a frustrating three-year journey. Now, it seems the talented Brazilian is looking for an escape route, and Formula E might just be his destination.
It’s a story we’ve seen before. A driver dominates the junior categories, proves their mettle, and earns a spot on the fringes of an F1 team, only to find the door to a race seat firmly bolted. Drugovich’s situation is a textbook example. Despite a stellar junior career culminating in that F2 title, he has been unable to secure a race seat, stuck behind the immovable objects of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.
Recent reports from The Race suggest Drugovich is on the verge of signing a deal with the Andretti Formula E team for the 2026 season. For anyone who has followed his career, this news feels both disappointing and entirely predictable. It’s the sound of a driver taking control of their own destiny when the F1 dream becomes a waiting game with no end in sight.
Can Drugovich Find a Home in Formula E?
The move isn’t coming out of nowhere. Drugovich has already dipped his toes into the all-electric series, stepping in for Nyck de Vries at Mahindra during the Berlin E-Prix. His performance was quietly impressive; scoring points in a brief stint is no small feat and certainly turned heads in the paddock. It’s a world away from the high-downforce beasts of F1, but it offers something crucial: a chance to race.
Drugovich himself has been candid about the challenges of his reserve role. “It’s obviously difficult,” he admitted. “I’ve had experience in free practice, and after a few sessions, people have said I drive well. However, if you’re not racing consistently, it’s difficult to jump into a race or a practice session.”
His words resonate with a deep-seated frustration. A driver’s instincts, their sharp edge, can only be maintained through consistent, wheel-to-wheel combat. The simulator is a powerful tool, but it’s no substitute for the raw, visceral experience of a race start or a last-lap battle.
It’s a sentiment echoed by one of the greatest to ever do it, his own teammate, Fernando Alonso. The Spanish champion has been complimentary of Drugovich, noting his “incredible talent” and consistent performance. Coming from a driver of Alonso’s caliber, that’s high praise. But praise doesn’t get you on the starting grid.
Why a Move from Aston Martin Makes Sense
Looking at the broader picture, is a full-time seat at Aston Martin even the golden ticket it once seemed to be? The team’s 2023 season was a story of incredible highs, with a surprising challenger at the front. However, their 2025 performance has been a shadow of that, a sharp decline that has seen them fall back into the congested midfield. While they’ve shown flashes of pace, consistency has been a major issue.
If the team’s trajectory doesn’t see a significant upswing with the 2026 regulation changes, Drugovich might just be dodging a bullet. Committing to a multi-year deal in Formula E with a competitive team like Andretti could offer far more career stability and satisfaction than languishing in an underperforming F1 car, assuming a seat ever opened up.
For a driver like Drugovich, who has proven his championship credentials, the goal is to win. It’s about being in a position to fight for podiums and titles. If Formula 1 cannot offer that path, then it’s only logical to seek it elsewhere. Formula E, with its competitive field and growing prestige, presents a viable and exciting alternative. It’s a championship where driver talent can genuinely make a difference.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, Felipe Drugovich’s potential move is a poignant reflection of the brutal nature of Formula 1. Talent and a junior championship are no guarantee of success. Sometimes, the bravest move a driver can make is to recognize when one dream is fading and to have the courage to chase another. A race car driver needs to race, and if Formula E is where he can do that, then it’s not a step down but a step forward.
