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Drugovich signs with Andretti in Formula E and weighs future as Aston Martin F1 reserve for 2026

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Drugovich
Drugovich - Foto: QIAN JUN / Shutterstock.com

The announcement sent shockwaves through the motorsport world as Andretti revealed the signing of Brazilian Felipe Drugovich for the 2025-26 Formula E season. With a multi-year deal secured, the 25-year-old from São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, prepares for his first full season in electric car racing. This move comes at a pivotal moment in his career, following three years as a reserve driver for Aston Martin in Formula 1.

The news broke on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, with official confirmation from Andretti Global. Drugovich, who clinched the 2022 Formula 2 title with a commanding 267 points and nine wins, now joins British driver Jake Dennis, the reigning two-time champion. The duo will represent the American team in an 18-race calendar, the longest in Formula E history, kicking off in Brazil.

  • His debut is set for the São Paulo ePrix on December 6, 2025, marking the event’s return to Anhembi after a hiatus.
  • Drugovich has prior Formula E experience, scoring points in seventh place during his sole race at the Berlin ePrix in July 2025, substituting for Nyck de Vries at Mahindra.
  • The multi-year contract ensures stability, allowing focus on adapting to the Gen3 Evo, the updated third-generation car for the season.

This shift reflects Drugovich’s strategy to secure regular racing after sporadic stints in endurance, such as the European Le Mans Series in 2024 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Action Express Racing for Cadillac.

Drugovich’s journey to the electric switch

Felipe Drugovich’s motorsport career began early, with karting titles in Brazil before moving to Europe at 15. In 2018, he dominated the Euroformula Open, winning 13 of 16 races to claim the championship. Two years later, he finished fourth in Formula 3, catching the eye of bigger teams.

In Formula 2, his peak came in 2022 with MP Motorsport. Drugovich led from the third round in Imola and sealed the title with a win in Monza, outscoring Theo Pourchaire by 101 points. This success landed him a reserve role at Aston Martin, where he logged over 1,000 kilometers in testing, including Pirelli tire sessions and 2026 prototypes.

  • Competed in five F1 free practice sessions since 2023, notably finishing 16th in Bahrain 2025, just 0.1 seconds off Lance Stroll.
  • Conducted post-season tests in Abu Dhabi, running 2025-homologated tires and aiding AMR25 development.
  • Gained endurance experience, including a podium in the GTP class at the 2025 24 Hours of Daytona with Cadillac Whelen Racing.

Despite his proven talent, F1 seats remained elusive. With Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll entrenched at Aston Martin, Drugovich opted for a new path in Formula E, drawn by its competitiveness and ties to the incoming Cadillac F1 team in 2026.

The Brazilian expressed optimism in a recent interview, highlighting Andretti’s strength after their 2023 drivers’ title with Dennis. He noted that talks with the American team began in 2022, post-F2, and the opportunity arose when Nico Müller left for Porsche’s factory team.

Formula E calendar and new car adaptation

The 2025-26 Formula E season promises intensity, with 18 races across 16 global cities, emphasizing urban circuits and sustainability. The Gen3 Evo car, boasting 350 kW in qualifying and optimized energy regeneration, demands precision in tight corners and battery management, distinct from F1’s energy strategies.

Drugovich begins preparation at the pre-season test in Valencia, October 27-30, at Circuit Ricardo Tormo. There, he’ll drive Andretti’s equipment for the first time, focusing on setups for mixed street tracks. The São Paulo opener at Anhembi is special, expecting a record crowd after 45,000 attended in 2024.

Launched in 2014, Formula E has crowned two Brazilians: Nelson Piquet Jr. in the inaugural season and Lucas di Grassi in 2017. Drugovich becomes the fifth Brazilian in the series’ history, following a legacy of success. He scored in his Berlin debut, finishing ninth in the second race, showing quick adaptation despite minimal prior practice.

  • Early races: São Paulo (Dec 6), Diriyah (Dec 21), and Miami (Feb 7), with a partial clash with the F1 Abu Dhabi GP.
  • Mid-season: Berlin (Apr 5), Shanghai (May 12), and Tokyo (May 23), testing varied climates.
  • Season finale: London (Jun 20) and Montreal (Jul 4), with double races to maximize points.

This schedule allows Drugovich to balance commitments but raises questions about his F1 role, as the F1 finale in Yas Marina overlaps with the Diriyah ePrix.

Aston Martin role and the F1 reserve dilemma

Since January 2023, Drugovich has shared reserve duties with Stoffel Vandoorne at Aston Martin, alternating GP appearances and simulator sessions at the AMR Technology Campus in Silverstone. In 2025, he completed the Bahrain TL1, meeting the FIA’s rookie quota, and tested 2026 tires post-Silverstone. His contributions included over 200 simulator hours, refining the AMR25 setup.

His Aston Martin contract runs through 2026, but the Formula E commitment introduces uncertainty. Drugovich admitted his F1 future remains open, prioritizing Andretti performance before deciding. He indicated he’d evaluate options benefiting his career, possibly staying with Aston Martin if schedules align.

  • 2025 sessions: TL1 in Bahrain (16th place) and tire tests in Monza, focusing on durability.
  • Technical contributions: Feedback on aerodynamics and hybrid setups, key for 2026 rules.
  • Shared duties with Vandoorne: Covered 12 GPs, ensuring full support.

Team principal Mike Krack praised Drugovich’s dedication, calling him a valuable asset. With Vandoorne also racing in Formula E for Mahindra, Aston Martin may adjust roles to avoid conflicts.

Potential F1 path via Cadillac

Andretti’s link with Cadillac, debuting in F1 in 2026 as the 11th team, opens doors for Drugovich. Operating under TWG Motorsports, Cadillac will use Ferrari engines until 2028 and aims for an experienced driver lineup, with Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas as top candidates, alongside Colton Herta as reserve.

Drugovich raced for Cadillac at Daytona 2025, earning a GTP-class podium, strengthening his case. Mario Andretti, a senior advisor, mentioned talks with multiple drivers, including the Brazilian, to balance youth and experience. Based in Fishers, Indiana, and Silverstone, Cadillac targets points in its debut, and Drugovich could fill a reserve or race seat if Pérez or Bottas depart.

  • Top candidates: Pérez (Red Bull experience), Bottas (consistency), and Herta (American talent).
  • Drugovich’s edge: Andretti connection and prior GM testing in IMSA.
  • Team plan: 600 staff and innovation focus, testing a 2023 Ferrari car in 2025.

While Pérez and Bottas lead, the 2026 driver market remains fluid, with potential openings at Sauber and Alpine. Drugovich’s patience positions him as a strong contender, especially if Formula E boosts his profile.

Andretti’s strategy and Brazil’s Formula E legacy

Andretti, part of TWG Motorsports, seeks renewal after their 2023 title. With Dennis as a cornerstone, Drugovich brings raw speed, proven in Berlin with a fastest lap in the 2023 rookie test. Team boss Roger Griffiths sees the duo as key for the future, especially with the Gen4 car in 2027, promising speeds above 320 km/h.

Drugovich inherits a rich Brazilian legacy in Formula E: Piquet Jr. won in 2015 by 31 points, while di Grassi dominated in 2017 with consistency across 12 races. Massa and Senna also scored, totaling over 1,500 Brazilian points in the series. Drugovich aims for early podiums, leveraging his Paraná roots to draw Brazilian fans.

  • Legacy: Piquet Jr. (inaugural champion), di Grassi (2017 title), Senna (2018 podiums), and Massa (2021 races).
  • Andretti’s strengths: 14 wins since 2018 and quick adaptation to street circuits.
  • 2025-26 goals: Top-5 in the constructors’ championship, emphasizing energy efficiency.

This move underscores Drugovich’s versatility, balancing F1 simulator work with Le Mans, where he finished 12th overall in 2024. His Andretti signing signals a new chapter, keeping F1 aspirations alive without closing doors.

Prior experience and São Paulo debut preparation

Before Formula E, Drugovich excelled in endurance. In 2024, with Jota Sport in the European Le Mans Series, he earned two podiums in six-hour races at Portimão and Spa, managing mixed traffic akin to Formula E streets. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he drove the Cadillac V-Series.R for Action Express, completing 340 laps despite mechanical issues.

These races honed his long-stint management, vital for Formula E’s 45-minute-plus-one-lap format. In the 2025 Berlin ePrix, substituting for de Vries, he managed the battery for late overtakes, earning two points for Mahindra.

Preparation includes simulations in Indianapolis, Andretti’s base, focusing on energy attacks and wheel-to-wheel racing. With his home debut in São Paulo, Drugovich anticipates a packed Anhembi, echoing the 40,000 fans of 2024.

  • 2024 endurance: Podiums in ELMS and 12th at Le Mans with 340 laps.
  • Formula E debut: Seventh in Berlin, scoring in the second race.
  • Training: Topped rookie tests in Rome and Berlin 2024.

This technical foundation positions Drugovich for wins, especially on technical tracks like Monaco in April 2026.

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