Liam Lawson may have secured one of the most sought-after seats in Formula 1, but the young Kiwi hasn’t forgotten his former Formula 2 rival Felipe Drugovich, who remains without a full-time F1 ride despite his undeniable talent.
Speaking on the Pitstop Podcast, Lawson championed Drugovich, calling for recognition of the Brazilian’s exceptional abilities. Drugovich, who dominated the 2022 F2 season to claim the title, has been relegated to a reserve role with Aston Martin, making sporadic FP1 appearances. Yet, according to Lawson, those performances speak volumes.
“If anybody is deserving a seat right now, it’s Drugovich,” Lawson declared. “He’s jumped in and done… his FP [in 2023] in Abu Dhabi was quicker than [Lance] Stroll. He was [second] quickest in FP1, and then this year [in 2024] I think he was quicker than Fernando [Alonso].”
Lawson praised the Brazilian for outperforming some of F1’s biggest names in practice sessions. While acknowledging the potential impact of differing run plans, Lawson insisted Drugovich’s results highlight his readiness for a full-time F1 seat.
The F2 Trap
While Formula 2 is the designated feeder series for F1, a championship title doesn’t guarantee a seat in the top flight. Drugovich’s F2 dominance in 2022, when he clinched the title in an MP Motorsport car not expected to be a frontrunner, underscores his exceptional talent.
“MP with Drugovich, that was the year that he just dominated it in a car that wasn’t meant to be a race-winning car. [He] crushed it,” Lawson explained.
A New Wave of Rookies
The 2025 F1 season has seen an influx of new talent from F2, yet Drugovich remains on the sidelines. Lawson noted the unpredictability of F2 team performance year-to-year, describing it as a “lottery” that complicates the transition to F1.
Still, Lawson remains optimistic about Drugovich’s prospects: “Yeah, for sure,” he said when asked if the 24-year-old still has time to make it onto the F1 grid.
A Talent Overlooked
Drugovich’s consistent excellence in junior categories and his eye-catching F1 practice performances make a strong case for his inclusion in the sport’s elite. As Lawson aptly pointed out, “He deserves a seat.”
The question now is whether F1 team bosses are ready to heed that call and give the reigning F2 champion the opportunity he has undoubtedly earned. Until then, Felipe Drugovich’s name will remain one of the most glaring omissions on the F1 grid.
