Aston Martin test and reserve driver Felipe Drugovich has faced backlash after picking Max Verstappen over Lewis Hamilton on a recent podcast appearance. The Brazilian was unimpressed by the latter’s patriotism towards his home country.

Drugovich was making an appearance on a podcast during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend with the reigning Formula 2 champion agreeing to a new contract with Aston Martin for the 2024 season.

When asked to pick between Hamilton and Verstappen, Drugovich opted for the latter, explaining: “Verstappen may seem like an annoying guy, but he’s an honest guy and not fake at all. That is what it is and that’s it.

Drugovich then went on to elaborate: “That’s exactly what doesn’t convince me. I have nothing against him. Only now I have had more contact with Verstappen. He is a super nice guy, he is a really good guy, very attentive, [and] accessible.

“He was super good to me and I admire that, the guy doesn’t even care about what people think. What you represent is there on the track and you just want to drive and that’s it, it’s more or less a version, let’s say a bit of [Nelson] Piquet.”

The 23-year-old’s comments attracted some criticism from fans with one taking to the X social media platform to write: “Drugovich is wrong to give his opinion about Hamilton, being someone who barely got into an F1 to test. Lastly, say that you like Max for his charisma on and off the track and that’s it.”

Another user suggested that the comments had changed their opinion on the Aston Martin driver, stating: “I liked Drugovich until I heard such pronouncements, the guy is jealous because Hamilton is the best Brazilian in F1.”

Drugovich opted for Verstappen when presented with the debate (Image: Getty)

This wasn’t the end of the criticism with another X user posting: “Felipe Drugovich is managing to be the first Brazilian in F1 who doesn’t have the support of the Brazilian people, congratulations.”

The Hamilton comments have done little to endear Drugovich to the wider F1 community with some fans – particularly those of Lance Stroll – unimpressed with the Brazilian after he liked social media posts that were defamatory towards the Canadian racer.

Nevertheless, Drugovich is still targeting a place on the F1 grid in 2025. The 23-year-old was believed to be in the conversation for the second Williams seat in the event that Logan Sargeant did depart, but that avenue seems to have closed meaning it will be another year on the sidelines in 2024.