Felipe Drugovich recently revealed a surprising behind-the-scenes story about Lance Stroll in an interview reported by Na Ponta dos Dedos. According to the Brazilian driver, Stroll was very close to leaving Formula 1 in 2024. Felipe Drugovich explained that there were indeed discussions about Stroll potentially stepping away from the sport, and it was only thanks to the intervention of his father and team owner, Lawrence Stroll, that he remained on the grid.
Felipe Drugovich was very close to joining F1
This revelation also highlights how close Felipe Drugovich was to signing with Aston Martin to replace Stroll. The end-of-2023 period was reportedly particularly delicate: Stroll signed a contract extension for 2024-25, but at the same time, talks of a potential retirement or a role change within the team were ongoing. Felipe Drugovich, who was aiming for a full-time seat with Aston Martin, confirmed that the Canadian driver was on the verge of leaving the grid. In the end, however, Lance Stroll decided to continue, and Felipe Drugovich missed his opportunity to enter F1.
The Brazilian driver expresses disappointment
Felipe Drugovich shared how he watched his chance to join the F1 circus slip away:
“It really felt like the right moment had arrived. My F1 debut was much closer than anyone could imagine. Lance was very close to not continuing in 2024. But that’s how it went, and I have nothing to say given the circumstances. I am not at fault, it’s not my responsibility, and if I were in their position, I might have acted the same way. But from my point of view, it’s complicated because I truly thought a real opportunity was opening up. They offered me the contract to renew because it was about to happen, and then in the end, it didn’t, and I found myself stuck in this situation. It is what it is, there’s not much to cry about now.”
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