Felipe Drugovich officially entered the Formula E spotlight last weekend in Berlin, stepping in for Nyck de Vries during a scheduling conflict. Despite having tested in the electric series before, this marked his first complete race weekend. Speaking candidly with media including GPblog, the Brazilian exuded excitement at finally competing, noting how much he had enjoyed testing the car in the past. Drugovich expressed that it was “amazing” to debut during a double-header, emphasizing the thrill of translating practice into real-world racing.
When prodded for any advice passed down by de Vries, Drugovich jokingly said the Dutchman’s only words were, “Drive fast, don’t crash”—a line equal parts comic and candid. He added that de Vries couldn’t offer much beyond that, as he hadn’t raced at Berlin in years. Drugovich slotted into the Mahindra seat with minimal fuss and maximum composure, proving he could adapt quickly under pressure despite the chaotic conditions of the Berlin weekend.
Drugovich’s resume extends well beyond a single debut. A 2022 Formula 2 champion and current Aston Martin reserve driver, he has also tested in F1, IndyCar, and competed in Le Mans’ hypercar class. When comparing Formula E to those disciplines, Drugovich remarked that while it’s still “a race car with four wheels,” the handling characteristics share more with hypercars due to limited grip. He even noted that Le Mans’ Cadillac felt somewhat closer to an F1 car, particularly in terms of managing hybrid energy systems.
With no permanent seat in any single-seater series, the 24-year-old Brazilian is now seriously considering Formula E as a viable future path. He acknowledged that the upcoming Gen4 cars, expected around 2026/2027, make the category more enticing. “It looks good for the future,” he said. Though he admitted he’d miss the engine roar, Drugovich joked that he could “just play it on [his] phone” for nostalgia’s sake. It’s clear the shift to electric doesn’t scare him—it intrigues him.
His performance in Berlin could be the first brick in that new road. After a difficult rain-soaked Saturday that ended in 17th, Drugovich rebounded on Sunday with a seventh-place finish and six valuable points for Mahindra. The showing wasn’t just a fill-in—it was a statement. If the series is scouting for a new era of drivers as Gen4 approaches, Drugovich may have just placed himself in pole position.
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