Jake Dennis believes Felipe Drugovich will be at the front end of the grid in Formula E, as the Formula 2 champion continues to be linked to a seat at Andretti for 2024.
Drugovich, who is Aston Martin‘s reserve driver in Formula 1 and has not raced competitively in 2023, is expected to replace Andre Lotterer at Andretti from Season 10 next year.
While Dennis won the Formula E title, Lotterer had a disappointing campaign as he failed to finish on the podium and was just 18th in the standings.
“Clearly Drugovich is a very talented driver,” Dennis told Total-Motorsport.com and other select members of the press.
“He won F2 with complete dominance – there wasn’t a driver who could really get close to him.
“So in terms of talent, there’s no question about it, he is very capable of coming into Formula E and delivering top results.
“We are interested in him for sure, along with other drivers on the grid. It’s not just Drugovich we are looking into, there are multiple other drivers.”
Drugovich topped the Berlin rookie test in April, where he told Total-Motorsport.com it had been hard to watch racing from the sidelines.
He was quickest again in a rookie practice session for Maserati in Rome and is understood to not be in contention for an F1 seat, so is looking to Formula E.
“He performed well in the Formula E rookie test in Berlin and then again in Rome,” continued Dennis. “It’s something I’m excited for, whoever we sign.
“The position we are in, we are not in any rush to sign anyone. We have the luxury of winning the championship to then bide us some time.
“No matter where he ends up, he will be in a racing a car next year, for sure. He deserves to and hopefully we don’t see him on a reserve role.”
Dennis targets teams’ championship
Andretti finished third in the 2023 Formula E teams’ championship, losing out to Jaguar and eventual champions Envision.
Dennis, who was open about not having a wingman during the latter stages of the season, hopes his new teammate is able to match him in 2024, so Andretti can win the teams’ title.
“I feel like I’m involved in a position to give my input, for sure,” added Dennis. “Whether it’s going to be a rookie or an experienced driver is to be confirmed.
“I was a rookie once and you need to give the rookies an opportunity to prove themselves and I’m just looking forward to seeing how they can deliver, whoever it will be.
“I really want a teammate next year, which can push me to my absolute highest level and try and win the teams’ championship.
“It’s not just all about the drivers’ championship. We really deserve to try and become the teams’ world champions.
“The points I scored this year were high enough to do that and I feel like if we have another driver, which can score just as many points, then we will be in really good contention for it.”
