Aston Martin announce Stroll REPLACEMENT with official team

Aston Martin announce Stroll REPLACEMENT with official team statement…….read more

Aston Martin has confirmed that Lance Stroll will be replaced during the first practice session (FP1) at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix by reserve driver Felipe Drugovich, according to an official statement released by the team. This announcement comes as the 2024 Formula 1 season nears its conclusion, with Stroll currently sitting in 13th place in the drivers’ championship standings. The Canadian driver has had a challenging season, as Aston Martin has faced difficulties in competing at the top of the grid.

While teams like Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes have fought for race victories in 2024, Aston Martin has struggled to keep pace with the front-runners. Despite having a competitive car earlier in the season, the Silverstone-based team has been unable to secure a podium finish throughout the year. This marks a disappointing outcome, given the team’s ambitions at the start of the season. However, Aston Martin has not been completely outpaced by the other teams in the midfield. They have managed to hold on to fifth place in the constructors’ championship, solidifying their position in the middle of the pack despite not being able to join the fight at the front. This result ensures that the team will finish the season without any major surprises, signifying an anonymous but solid year overall.

As the final race of the season approaches in Abu Dhabi, Aston Martin announced that Stroll will miss FP1, and Felipe Drugovich will step in to replace him. The Brazilian driver’s appearance in the session is part of the mandatory rule that requires all Formula 1 teams to field a rookie driver for at least one session during the season. Drugovich, who has already had some experience with the team in 2024, will have an opportunity to get behind the wheel of the AMR24 once again during this critical session.

Drugovich, who is an Aston Martin reserve driver, is looking forward to the challenge. In an official statement, he expressed his excitement to drive the AMR24 at Yas Marina, a circuit that he is familiar with from previous testing. “I’m really excited to drive the AMR24 again, and this time at Yas Marina—a circuit that I know well from completing many testing laps there,” Drugovich said. He highlighted that the Abu Dhabi track would provide a fresh challenge and that he was eager to see how the car would perform in a completely different environment compared to previous races, such as the one in Mexico.

Additionally, Drugovich mentioned that the session would give him the chance to test the car with the 2025 Pirelli tires, which will be used in Formula 1 races next season. The 2025 tires are expected to offer a new driving experience for all the teams, and Drugovich’s participation in the session will be crucial for gathering data and improving Aston Martin’s understanding of the new tire compound. He also emphasized the importance of building on the lessons he learned during his first FP1 session earlier in the year, showing that he has been making progress with the team and in his understanding of the car.

In his statement, Drugovich expressed his gratitude to Aston Martin for giving him this second opportunity to drive the car in such an important session. He also thanked Banco Master, a key sponsor of the team, for their continued support. This test session and the subsequent end-of-season test at the Yas Marina Circuit, which takes place just after the race, will be important for Drugovich to gain further experience in preparation for future opportunities with the team.

This development is seen as part of Aston Martin’s long-term strategy to develop their drivers and prepare for future seasons, as well as to give young talents like Drugovich the chance to showcase their skills. Although Stroll’s absence from FP1 marks a notable change for the team, Drugovich’s role as a reserve driver is crucial for Aston Martin as they continue to develop their car and team for the next season.

With the 2024 season coming to a close, the focus now shifts to preparing for 2025, and the team’s efforts to gather data from the Abu Dhabi sessions will be a vital part of their work to improve for the future.