Renault want junior driver in F1 seat by 2021

Renault Academy Director Mia Sharizman has revealed the French team's ambition to have an academy driver in a Renault Formula 1 seat by 2021, as the junior programme is taking steps to make this possible.

Since making their comeback as a constructor in 2016, Renault haven't had a junior driver in a Formula 1 seat, with Jack Aitken only taking part in some testing at the team. Aitken won one race in Formula 2 in 2018 but only finished in 11th place in the drivers' championship, way behind his ART Grand Prix teammate George Russell, who won the F2 championship and earned himself a seat at Williams' F1 team.

The line-up for 2019 is a good one for Renault, with Red Bull Racing star Daniel Ricciardo making a shock move to join Renault and Nico Hülkenberg in the garage next to him. Not exactly the youngest drivers (29 and 31 respectively).

“The objective of the Academy has always been long-term: to have an Academy driver in the Formula 1 race seat by 2021,” Sharizman was quoted by Crash.net.

“We’re making small steps and at this stage, we are meeting our targets. Drivers are beginning to fulfil certain, prominent roles within the team and this will continue to grow.

“As the year draws to a close, it marks the end of the third full year of the Renault Sport Academy and the end of the first of two phases of the programme.

“Reflecting on this season, it’s simple to say that we all want a perfect year; something that is very unlikely.

“Title wins are of course the better moments for young drivers, their teams and for us as a development programme. But it’s not always just about winning titles, more the manner in the way they are won. There are certain moments in a season where you realise which drivers you want to develop further.

“There are also moments – sometimes away from the track - where you see the necessary characteristics required to go all the way within a driver: ruthlessness, a champion attitude, teamwork and hunger.”