Renault Sport Academy has added Oscar Piastri as its new member for 2020 as he signs for Prema Racing in FIA Formula 3 (F3) Championship.
Piastri has become the first confirmed driver to be part of the Renault F1 academy in 2020, as he will race for Prema in F3. The Australian complete the Italian outfit’s line-up, which already announced Logan Sargeant and Fredrik Vesti.
Having won the 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup title, Piastri was in a prime position to graduate to F3 in 2020 after testing with Prema. The Australian has already started his work at Enstone with the French manufacturer, preparing for the new season.
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Prema Racing for the 2020 season and excited to step up into the FIA F3 Championship,” said Piastri. “I have enjoyed two great years in the Formula Renault Eurocup and cannot wait to test myself against drivers at this level.
“Prema is a top team for a reason. It has a professional approach and attitude to winning which runs throughout the organisation, and the management have made me feel welcome already. I cannot wait to get to know my engineers and start working with them.
“I am also very excited to join the Renault Sport Academy for 2020. Many talented drivers have come through it and there is a strong line-up this year, so I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can from the fellow members.
“It was hard work getting to this point in my career having won the Formula Renault Eurocup last year, but it was all worth it, and I’m extremely proud to now be part of this illustrious team and Academy and maximising their support.”
Prema team boss Rene Rosin, stated: “Oscar is a really interesting prospect for the team. He scored plenty of great results during his career so far and we are looking forward to his Formula 3 debut with great anticipation.
“We worked really hard over the winter to secure a competitive line-up for 2020 and I’m satisfied with how the team has come together. In addition, we welcome the collaboration with Renault and we are proud of the trust and regard of such an important manufacturer.
“This year, there will be some pretty big shoes to fill considering how 2019 went, but we will support our drivers at the highest level.” And finally, Renault academy’s Mia Sharizman, added: “We’re very excited to welcome Oscar to the Renault Sport Academy.
“We had the opportunity to monitor Oscar for the last three years in British F4 and the Formula Renault Eurocup. We were very impressed every time we saw Oscar, especially with his performances last season.
“He kept his cool against tough competition to secure the title in the closing stages of the year. He has great natural ability and is one of Australia’s most exciting young racing prospects. Oscar will face a competitive field in F3, but we will support him in all areas throughout his rookie season.”
2020 F3 line-up so far:
Jenzer Motorsport: Calan Williams
Prema Racing: Logan Sargeant, Frederik Vesti and Oscar Piastri
ART Grand Prix: Alexander Smolyar, Theo Pourchaire and Sebastian Fernandez
HWA Racelab: Jake Hughes, Enzo Fittipaldi and Jack Doohan
Trident: Lirim Zendeli
Update: Renault announced Hadrien David as its second confirmed driver in the academy as he moves from French F4 to compete in Formula Renault Eurocup with MP Motorsport. He joins the programme as a prize for winning the championship in 2019.
“It’s a dream come true to join the Renault Sport Academy on the back of my French Formula 4 title triumph last season,” said David. “I can’t wait to be wearing Renault team colours in 2020 and competing in the Formula Renault Eurocup – a championship I’ve been watching since I was young.
“It’s going to be a very competitive series, and I’ll be the youngest driver on the grid too, but that’s a challenge I’m looking forward to taking on. It’s going to be great having the Academy’s support and I’m sure we can achieve good things this season.”
Here’s the full calendar of F3 for 2020
Here’s the testing calendar of F3 for 2020
Here’s details on the changed F2 and F3 regulation for 2020
