Felipe Drugovich and Theo Pourchaire, Formula Two champions in 2022 and 2023, respectively, are struggling to secure F1 seats despite their successes in the feeder series.
Drugovich, who won at Monza, has served as Aston Martin’s reserve driver, even outpacing Fernando Alonso in a 2024 Abu Dhabi practice session, yet no permanent F1 role has materialized.
The 25-year-old Brazilian noted that F1 teams prioritize their own academy drivers over F2 champions, with Cadillac’s recent signing of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez closing another door.
Similarly, Pourchaire’s case is puzzling, as the 2023 champion has not secured a full-time seat despite early promise.
Drugovich remains optimistic, staying active in the paddock to prove his worth, but both drivers highlight a disconnect in F1’s promotion system.
Historically, F2 (formerly GP2) champions like Fabio Leimer secured F1 drives, but current trends favor internal academy picks, leaving talents like Drugovich and Pourchaire on the sidelines, raising questions about the pathway to motorsport’s top tier.
Drugovich, who won at Monza, has served as Aston Martin’s reserve driver, even outpacing Fernando Alonso in a 2024 Abu Dhabi practice session, yet no permanent F1 role has materialized.
The 25-year-old Brazilian noted that F1 teams prioritize their own academy drivers over F2 champions, with Cadillac’s recent signing of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez closing another door.
Similarly, Pourchaire’s case is puzzling, as the 2023 champion has not secured a full-time seat despite early promise.
Drugovich remains optimistic, staying active in the paddock to prove his worth, but both drivers highlight a disconnect in F1’s promotion system.
Historically, F2 (formerly GP2) champions like Fabio Leimer secured F1 drives, but current trends favor internal academy picks, leaving talents like Drugovich and Pourchaire on the sidelines, raising questions about the pathway to motorsport’s top tier.
