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Felipe Drugovich won the unexpected chance to start the season Formula 1: The Brazilian racer was announced by Aston Martin as one of the drivers in the pre-season testwhich will take place this week in Bahrain. The opportunity came after Canadian Lance Stroll was injured while riding a bicycle. As a starter, he was absent which was confirmed by the team in the first test of 2023.

In Bahrain, each team will have the opportunity to use the car on the track for three days of trials. In total, there will be two shifts with four hours of action. The Brazilian will partner Fernando Alonso, another Aston Martin owner. On the first day, February 23, Drugovich will drive in the morning, while the Spaniard will drive in the afternoon. The schedule for the other two days of activities has not yet been announced.

On social media, Drugovich was excited about the opportunity. “Let’s go to the track! First I want to wish Lance Stroll a good recovery. But I am very happy that Aston Martin trusted me to put me on the substitutes in this pre-season training session!”, wrote the Brazilian. Another backup for the team, Stoffel Vandoorne will race in the Cape Town Formula E eP, where he drives for DS Penske, this weekend.

However, Drugovich’s presence at the test still does not mean the Brazilian will start the team at the Bahrain GP., the opening stage of the championship, on March 5. Aston Martin has yet to officially confirm Stroll’s absence, leaving open the possibility that Drugovich will be driving for the team in the season opener.