Lundgaard, Zhou and Piastri tested the R.S. 18

Renault pampers its young pilots. The French team invited the three most promising drivers from the Renault Sport Academy to climb into the seat of the RS18 on the Sakhir track last week. The opportunity for them to familiarize themselves with the very demanding Pirelli tires and the machine's V8, in particular. 

To Oscar piastri, very recent world champion of Formula 3, it was a great first. “I was very excited and at the same time quite nervous. But after my installation lap, all the tension went down and I was able to concentrate on having fun and going fast. I feel really privileged, I am aware that this is an opportunity that doesn't come around every day." delivered the Australian after completing 82 laps on Friday. 

For their part, the two pilots of Formula 2 Christian Lundgaard and Guanyu-Zhou had already tested the RS17, and even the RS 18 for the Chinese. On Thursday, the Dane had the opportunity to complete 101 loops of the 5,412 km Sakhir route, while Zhou was able to test over two days.

“It was cool to be back in a F1, declared the Dane. I had never driven in Bahrain so to do it behind the wheel of an F1 car was even more incredible. » For both men, it's time for the Formula 2 double round in Bahrain at the end of November (29th) and beginning of December (6th). It won't be as exciting, but it will be even more important.

#RenaultSportAcademy @lundgaardoff, @OscarPiastri and @ gyzhou_33 all took to the @BAH_Int_Circuit last week as the trio each had a turn at the wheel of the Renault RS18 as part of their young driver development program.

Full story  https://t.co/ZGBYSv6lEN #RSspirit pic.twitter.com/u734zkNGfw

- Renault F1 Team (@ RenaultF1Team) November 3, 2020