The complete 2018 Renault Sport Academy

La Renault Sport Academy continues its activities for the third consecutive year. As we explained to you in issue 2147 ofSelf, always available digital download, the objective of the Diamond brand is to succeed in placing one of its young talents in the seat of a Formula 1 Renault by 2020.

To get closer to this objective, the French manufacturer will place its trust in seven drivers, four of whom are students returning to 2018. The most diligent of them is Jack aitken. Wearing the yellow and black colors since 2016, the 22-year-old British-Korean finished runner-up in the GP3 Series last year. A good reason to take the plunge towards Formula 2 in 2018, always in the company of the ART Grand Prix team.

ANNOUNCEMENT Delighted to stay on with the @RenaultSportF1 Academy for a third year, and join @ARTGP in @ FIA_F2 for 2018! Let's go pic.twitter.com/pc5Awm036z

- Jack Aitken - @ (@JaitkenRacer) 15th January 2018

“I pass by F2, it's one more step towards my ultimate goal, F1. I am delighted and I am now well integrated into enstone after these first two years. It is very important to be preserved », declared the winner of the 2.0 Formula Renault 2015 Eurocup. His age seems to matter to him. “If I am the dean (of the program), I must set an example by doing what is necessary, regardless of the championship in which I play. It's the same for the youngest and the new. So this changes very little. »

The Renault Sport Academy will also be present in the FIA F3 Europe, through Sacha fenestraz. The 18-year-old Franco-Argentinian is not his first attempt in the category and will participate in the championship with the Carlin team, reigning champion with Lando Norris. “All the drivers who have gone through the Academy have benefited from it and I can't wait to get started. There is no shortage of challenges in F3, we have a lot of work to do, but I am delighted to be part of the Renault family. I relish the opportunity that represents their support”, rejoices the outgoing winner of the Formula 2.0 Eurocup.

It is precisely in this championship that the young guns stamped Renault will be mainly present. Brilliant in the French Formula 4 Championship in 2017 (1st and 2nd), Arthur Rougier (18 years) and Victor martins will tackle this competition with the help of Fortec Motorsports and R-ace GP. Objective for the first city: “the top quint”, while remaining realistic. “I discovered Formula Renault in depth during winter testing. The sensations were there, but there is still a lot to learn. It could be a good year if I can adapt and progress quickly”, explains Arthur Rougier.

Immediately comfortable for his debut in car in 2017 (four victories), Victor Martins (16 years old) makes no secret of it: he wants to win the title. “I must continue my preparation over the coming months to be sure I can meet the challenge”, announces the pilot from Essonne. “It provides a certain pride to represent France in such a structure. I always dreamed of Renault, especially when I passed the Viry-Châtillon factory. I said to myself “I want to drive for them” and I am now in their program! »

Very happy to announce that I am joining the #RenaultSportAcademy !
It is a great pride to be able to join the Young Drivers program of @RenaultSportF1 !
Thank you to Renault for its trust and to everyone who has supported me from the start!#RSA18 #TeamVM #VictoryLane pic.twitter.com/mGktGZhv2O

— Victor MARTINS (@MARTINS_Victor_) 15th January 2018

Already author of a Eurocup campaign (6th and best Rookie with Tech 1 Racing), Max Fewtrell will continue with a second season, this time with R-ace GP. Logically, the 18-year-old Briton will also aim for the crown. “The title is my concrete objective. This will allow me to display my ambitions for the rest of my career. » Like his comrades, Max Fewtrell will travel to Doha for a winter training program. “We will go to Qatar, it will be the ideal place to start our season. After that, I will work in the simulator while doing the usual work of a pilot during the winter. »

To achieve this, he will have to repel attacks from Christian lundgaard. The Dane (16 years old) achieved the feat in 2017 of winning two series, the F4 NEZ (northern European zone) and Spanish. For this year, he will remain faithful to MP Motorsport but will learn how to drive a 2.0. “Qualifying is important in Formula Renault, so I have to make sure I have the right pace over a lap. Afterwards, I hope to be in a good position to compete for the podium. »

Finally, the Chinese Sun Yue Yang takes a contrary path. Although retained by Renault, he moved down from the Eurocup (31st) to British F3, contested on F4 chassis, just to perfect his experience.