LONDON: Formula One team Renault have added two young recruits Oscar Piastri and Hadrien David to their 2020 Academy line-up with eyes fixed on F1.
18-year-old Piastri and 15-year-old David joined the multi-national programme of up-and-coming racers.
Last year’s Formula Renault Eurocup champion, Piastri will step up to Formula 3 in 2020 with championship-winners Prema.
David, meanwhile, progresses to Formula Renault Eurocup having won last season’s French F4 Championship.
The duo join Chinese F2 driver Guanyu Zhou, 2020 F2 debutant Christian Lundgaard, FIA F3 driver Max Fewtrell and Formula Renault Eurocup racer Caio Collet on the programme.
The duo will take part in simulator sessions at Renault’s Enstone headquarters, while also training and developing their skills with the team.
“This year’s line-up is the strongest we’ve had in the last four years of the Renault Sport Academy. We’ve struck a balance between experienced and rookie drivers and we believe we can compete for titles across all junior championships in which we’ve entered our members,” said Renault Sport Academy Director Mia Sharizman.
He further added: “As the years progress, we are moving closer to the point where we want to have an Academy driver in contention for the Formula 1 race seat. We remain hopeful that this year is a breakout year for this to happen.”
As for the F1 team, they will launch their season with former Mercedes reserve driver Esteban Ocon joining Daniel Ricciardo on February 12. (Source: Formula1.com)
