Brazilian driver comments on ‘bad guy’ Fernando Alonso

Felipe Drugovich is currently working behind the scenes at Aston Martin, supporting Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll as the team’s reserve driver.

Reigning F2 Champion Felipe Drugovich has lifted the lid on his working relationship with two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso.

Drugovich joined the AMF1 Driver Development Programme two days after winning the F2 champion, stepping into the driver’s seat at Aston Martin during pre-season testing after Lance Stroll suffered an injury.

The F2 title-holder and the Spaniard were both fresh faces at Aston Martin this season, with Alonso having joined the team from Alpine.

Alonso has built up a reputation as the “bad guy” of Formula 1, something he has embraced in recent years, even joking about being seen as the villain during the latest series of Drive to Survive.

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“He’s a really cool guy,” Drugovich said.

“I really like him. He’s a great character and amazing.

“I just have such big respect for him, even more now. I see how hard he works even at 41 years old and pushing like he’s just 20 years old. So it’s impressive to see that.

“People talk about him being the bad guy and stuff like that but he’s really cool guy and is really nice with me.”

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Alonso’s addition to Aston Martin has powered the team up the grid, seeing them rise to P2 in the Constructors’ Standings thanks to his four podium finishes in five races.

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The Spaniard has shown he still has the skill that saw him win two world championships, with Alonso confident that he still has the chance to fight for a third title.

While younger, Drugovich also brings a championship-winning mindset to the team, having won the 2018 Euroformula Open title, Spanish Formula 3 Championship, 2022 Formula 2 championship and more.

“The more you keep going, the more you winning and and doing well, I think that intention of being a racing driver just grows and grows,” Drugovich said.