Renault confirms Oscar Piastri F1 check, targets 2022 race debut – Photograph: Provided
Australian rising star Oscar Piastri will take one other step in direction of the head of motorsport with Renault confirming he’ll full his maiden System 1 check in Bahrain later this month.
By HEATH McALPINE
The not too long ago topped 2020 FIA System 3 Champion and a present member of the Renault Sport Academy, 19-year-old Piastri will full a full-day of testing within the Renault R.S. 18 on October 30 because the French producer readies its subsequent era of System 1 drivers.
Upon the announcement, Renault Sport Academy director Mia Sharizman made no secret of what Renault’s intention is for the Australian.
“For Oscar, on this case, what we anticipate for him isn’t just a style of [Formula 1],” Sharizman mentioned.
“It’s a reward, firstly, for successful the [F3] title however giving him a primary day is already a plan for us for the following two years with the last word goal of driving in System 1 with us as a race driver. So, that is simply the primary day of many for him.”
“Oscar shall be experiencing his first time in a System 1 automotive as a reward for successful the FIA System 3 title plus it’s a part of his continued development within the Academy.
“The plan for the testing days typically varies relying on expertise, so Oscar’s day shall be about getting him in control and conversant in the automotive.
“It’s alternative for us to indicate the development and stage of feat of the drivers within the Academy.”
A member of the Renault Sport Academy since successful the System Renault Eurocup Sequence in 2019, the Piastri is delighted to obtain the chance as he prepares for his development to the second-tier FIA System 2 Championship in 2021.
“It’s protected to say I’m very excited to be driving the R.S.18 subsequent week in Bahrain,” mentioned Piastri.
“Clearly, it will likely be my first check in a System 1 automotive, so it can undoubtedly be a second to cherish and bear in mind for a really very long time.
“It’s not every single day that you just get the chance to drive an F1 automotive, so I’m very grateful to the workforce for the chance. There shall be heaps to be taught on the day, reminiscent of getting used to the facility, downforce and braking of the automotive and it’ll all be a problem, however I like tackling new ones.
“I drove the Bahrain circuit earlier this yr after we did the FIA System 3 pre-season check, however I’ve clearly by no means lapped the circuit in an F1 automotive, so I can’t wait to get out on monitor.”
Additionally finishing the System 2 check are fellow Renault Sport Academy drivers Christian Lundgaard and Guanyu Zhou, each at the moment compete within the FIA System 2 Championship.
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Date posted: October 22, 2020
