Ronaldo Commends “Dear” Lewis Hamilton While Rooting for Felipe Drugovich’s Rise to F1 World Champion

After Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton is arguably the most well-known motorsports personality in the world. After all, he’s achieved almost everything there is to achieve in F1, with the combined most championships, most wins, and podiums. The 7X champ is loved all across the globe, including in Brazil. As Ronaldo comments on Lewis Hamilton, he roots for the young Brazilian Felipe Drugovich. But what did Ronaldo say? 

Lewis Hamilton took the 2008 F1 world championship away from home hero Felipe Massa at the final race in Brazil. Despite that, the Brazilians love him. The 7X champ was awarded honorary Brazilian citizenship in 2022, and ever since, he’s become the favorite of the locals. Interlagos is arguably one of the best circuits of the F1 calendar, yet misses out on having an F1 driver from the home country. 

Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldo Nazario has now come to show his love and affection for Lewis Hamilton and also cheer for the future of Brazilian motorsports, Felipe Drugovich. According to GP Brasil F1’s Instagram post, Ronaldo Nazario said, “Hamilton is very dear to all of us Brazilians, but we will miss him. Felipe [Drugovich] is doing well. His time will come, but we miss a Brazilian competing in the races and for the title.” [Translated by Google]

Read More: $13 MN Lawsuit Against Lewis Hamilton Takes Backseat as Felipe Massa Announces “Great” Racing Comeback

Felipe Drugovich is the 2022 F2 World Champion and was signed by Aston Martin as the reserve driver for the 2023 season and will continue in the same role for the upcoming year. The Brazilian got the opportunity to step up for the team earlier this year during winter testing after Lance Stroll met with an accident. While Aston Martin wanted to give Felipe Drugovich a session in front of his home crowd, they weren’t able to. Let’s see why.

“Just not possible”: Mike Krack on the inability to give Felipe Drugovich a drive in Brazil

Coming into the Brazilian GP weekend, Aston Martin announced that Felipe Drugovich will continue his role as the reserve driver for the 2024 season as well. While Mike Krack and Co. wanted to give Drugovich a session in front of his home crowd, they weren’t able to as it was a Sprint weekend, which meant only one practice session in which the drivers would make the setup changes and get the feel for the track. 

According to astonmartinf1.com, Mike Krack said, “It would have been great to have him drive the car here at Interlagos, in front of his home fans, but it’s just not possible in a Sprint weekend to allocate FP1 to another driver given the limited time in practice. And the race drivers’ need to get in every lap they can.” 

Watch this Story: F1 Clarifies Safety Car Rules That Cost Lewis Hamilton The 2021 Championship