Max Verstappen reacts to Felipe Drugovich Formula E switch

Max Verstappen has reacted to Felipe Drugovich's move to Formula E as a full-time driver, a switch the four-time world champion believes is positive for the Brazilian. 

Despite not racing or working for the same team, Verstappen and Drugovich have interacted with each other in various sim races, often engaging in conversation over social channels like Twitch.

Since winning the Formula 2 title in 2022, Drugovich has sat on the Formula 1 sidelines as Aston Martin's reserve driver. 

Unfortunately, an opportunity in F1 has never materialised for the 25-year-old, who finally decided earlier this year that it was time to look for a full-time seat elsewhere. 

While being on the bench at Aston Martin, Drugovich has made rare race appearances IMSA and WEC. However, a crucial appearance was made in Formula E's Berlin E-Prix in July earlier this year.

Drugovich replaced Mahindra's Nyck de Vries who was unable to race due to having a WEC commitment. In the double-header, the former F2 champion claimed an impressive points finish, impressing Andretti. 

As a result, Drugovich has joined Andretti as a full-time driver in Formula E, with it currently unconfirmed if he will continue with Aston Martin.

In the recent pre-season test in Valencia, Drugovich may not have delivered eye-catching lap times, but his approach was methodical and has already impressed the American squad.

Asked if moving to Formula E is the right move for Drugovich, Verstappen told select media including RacingNews365: "That is a little bit the problem, of course, when you are a reserve driver for a long time and not race at the same time. 

"I get it, like you're fully hoping, of course, for a Formula 1 drive. I've talked about it with him, we've been in the same voice channels and talking about career and stuff like that. 

"And it's not an easy route for him, because you win F2 you get to F1 as a reserve and there's no real opportunity that opened up for him. And then you have to look around, you have to figure out what you want to do in your career. 

"I mean, he has done a bit of hypercar as well, which I think is a great category as well, outside of Formula 1, and Formula E likewise. I mean, a lot of good drivers are participating in Formula E. So, the level is very high. 

"And I think for sure, if you want to keep racing and make money as well to live, you have to, at one point, make a call to say, okay, maybe, F1 is not happening, and you have to look around."