Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich will not be on the Formula 1 grid next season, but will be on the sidelines as Aston Martin's reserve driver. The Brazilian is keen to learn in his new role, but especially hopes to learn from newcomer to the team, Fernando Alonso, whom he sees as the best possible role model.

Drugovich won the Formula 2 title at Monza, which was reason enough for Aston Martin to secure the young Brazilian as the brand-new reserve driver for the British team rather quickly. Besides reserve driver, the team will also start its driver development programme with Drugovich, whose ultimate goal is to secure a permanent seat in the top class.

Right person

The F2 champion is confident that his time with the team will help him develop further as a driver and he assures that having Fernando Alonso by his side will be a great help. "He needs no introduction. He has been very nice to me. Hopefully I can learn a lot from him next year, he is the right person to learn from," Drugovich told Spanish SoyMotor. The Brazilian driver wants to learn next year not only through his duties as a development driver, but also sees the briefings with the team as indispensable learning moments.

"The ambition is quite high for this driver development programme to succeed. I am the first to do it and they are really keen to make it work, as am I," explained the reigning Formula 2 champion. "I will work very hard to be on the grid one day," he said in conclusion.