Brazilian racing star Felipe Drugovich made an electrifying debut during his first NTT IndyCar Series test with Chip Ganassi Racing at the notoriously demanding Barber Motorsports Park. The 2022 Formula 2 champion, currently an Aston Martin F1 test driver, set a blistering best lap time of 1m07.631s, clocking in just a few tenths under the time set by Ganassi’s ace Alex Palou with IndyCar’s new hybrid engine. The 24-year-old’s pace and resilience in the physically grueling conditions have left the motorsport world buzzing with speculation about Drugovich’s potential future in the series.
Handling the Beast: Drugovich’s Physical Conditioning Impresses Ganassi
Barber Motorsports Park, with its 15 twisting, high-speed corners, is a punishing track known for pushing drivers to their physical limits. But Drugovich, despite limited recent race experience, tackled the high downforce, non-power steering IndyCar with impressive stamina. His background in Formula 1 certainly helped, but the unique physical demands of IndyCar, which lacks power steering, presented a new challenge for the young driver.
“To be fair, even in a Formula 4 car at Barber, any driver would be worn out by the end of the day,” Drugovich admitted. “It’s been a while since I last drove a car without power steering, so it gave me a hard time, but I was prepared for it. Driving Formula 1 cars helps keep your neck strong, but this IndyCar at Barber is something else.”
His ability to handle the car’s physicality was a key takeaway for Ganassi’s performance director, Chris Simmons, who praised the Brazilian’s conditioning and pace, hinting at a bright future for Drugovich in the IndyCar Series.
Ganassi’s Open Mind: Keeping Drugovich on Their Radar
Although Chip Ganassi Racing doesn’t have any immediate openings for 2025, the team wanted to assess Drugovich’s potential in their final evaluation test day. Drugovich’s performance left a lasting impression, and Simmons made it clear that the Brazilian is now firmly on their radar.
“You never know when an opportunity will come up,” Simmons explained. “It’s good to have this under our belts, and Felipe showed the speed and capability to succeed in IndyCar. We’ll definitely keep him in mind for future opportunities.”
Waiting for the Next Big Opportunity
Since claiming the Formula 2 title in 2022, Drugovich’s racing opportunities have been limited. Although he’s participated in select sports car events, including the European Le Mans Series and the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, his open-wheel racing career has largely been on hold. The IndyCar test with Ganassi, however, could mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Brazilian.
As he left Barber, Drugovich was thrilled with his experience in the No. 11 Ganassi Honda. “It was a good day, trying new things with the car, getting to grips with it, and showing what I can do,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the team. If the opportunity to race for Ganassi comes in the future, I’d be incredibly happy. It’s a team with such a winning history, and the environment here is just fantastic.”
What’s Next for Felipe Drugovich?
While the test may not lead to an immediate IndyCar seat, Felipe Drugovich has undoubtedly made a strong case for himself. His blend of raw pace, physical conditioning, and technical feedback has proven that he’s more than ready for the challenges of IndyCar racing. With Ganassi and other top teams keeping a close eye on his progress, the Brazilian’s IndyCar future looks more promising than ever.
The next big question: Will Drugovich’s next step be in IndyCar, or will he continue to wait for a breakthrough in another series? One thing is certain—his name is now one to watch in the fast-paced world of IndyCar racing.
Photo from Felipe Drugovich Instagram
