Sergey Sirotkin confirmed as a reserve driver for Renault
- Shahmir Khan
- Feb 27, 2019
- 2 min read
Renault Sport F1 team in a press release today announced it's test and reserve drivers for 2019 Formula 1 season.
Sirotkin joins Renault F1 team alongside the two main drivers - Nico Hulkenberg and Daniel Ricciardo - as a third and reserve driver for 2019 while F2 driver Jack Aitken takes the role of test driver. Guanyu Zhou will stay in the team as a development driver, as the team announced earlier this month.
Sergey is not new to the French team, having been a test and reserve driver in 2016 and 2017. He got promoted to Williams F1 team for full-time in 2018 but a disappointing year saw him getting replaced by Robert Kubica in Williams outfit for 2019.
The Russian driver was also recently announced as a replacement for Matevos Isaakyan for SMP Racing Team in FIA World Endurance Championship.
Aitken graduated fron Renault Junior Academy in 2019. He competed in GP3 and FIA Formula 2 where he won a racw last year and will return with Campos Racing Team as part of development programme.
“We’re very happy to reveal our full 2019 driver line-up. It’s a very strong and experienced team of drivers. Nico and Daniel are an exciting combination and will be strongly supported by Sergey, Jack and Guanyu," said Cyril Abiteboul, Managing Director of Renault Sport.
"In Sergey’s return, we have a driver who has experienced a full season racing in Formula 1 and that knowledge will be beneficial to developing our package. Jack has also impressed us when testing our Formula 1 machinery, while Guanyu will complement the experienced team. All of them have an important role to play this season and we look forward seeing them all in action."
“I am very pleased to rejoin my friends at Renault F1 Team and return to Formula 1. We are well acquainted with the team, I spent the whole of 2017 in their factory and in the garage," said Sirotkin.
"It will be interesting to learn how far Renault has advanced in the development of the car over the past year; last season we were rivals and I could not see the work from the inside. I am pleased to join the team as Third & Reserve Driver and work alongside Nico Hülkenberg and Daniel Ricciardo.”
Jack Aitken said:
“It’s a great feeling to continue with Renault F1 Team and I’m grateful for this opportunity. I’ve been part of the team since 2016, so to remain for a fourth season is a privilege and I’m determined to repay Renault’s faith in me.
I drove the Formula 1 car a couple of times last year and I can’t wait to sample the Renault R.S.19 this season in the rookie tests and give my best to develop the package in any way I can.
"Last year was a lot about learning, but I feel ready this season to do the job and get the results I’m aiming for as I continue my development pathway within Renault.”
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