Australian teenager Oscar Piastri earns Formula One test with Renault in Bahrain
After claiming the Formula 3 title, Aussie teenager and racing sensation Oscar Piastri has earned a huge reward as his rise to Formula One continues.
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Australian teenager Oscar Piastri has earned his first test of a Formula One car with Renault later this month.
In another boost to his Formula One ambitions, the 19-year-old will take part in the test with Renault Sport Academy drivers at Bahrain next week as a “reward” for winning the Formula 3 championship.
Piastri confirmed his status as Australia’s rising star of international motorsport after sealing the F3 title in a thrilling finale at the Tuscan Grand Prix last month, which is set to propel him to Formula 2 next year – the rung just below Formula One.
The Melbourne racer will take part in the Formula One testing alongside his fellow Renault Academy members and 2020 F2 race winners Christian Lundgaard and Guanya Zhou.
Piastri, who is managed by Australian nine-time Formula One race winner Mark Webber, will take to the track on the second day of the four-day test on October 30.
“It’s safe to say I am very excited to be driving the R.S. 18 next week in Bahrain,” Piastri said.
“Obviously, it will be my first test in a Formula One car, so it will definitely be a moment to cherish and remember for a very long time.
“It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to drive an F1 Car, so I am very grateful to the team for the opportunity.
F3 CHAMPION! ðŸ†#TuscanGP 🇮🇹 #Mugello #F3 @fiaformula3 | @prema_team | @renaultf1team | @hptuners | @vcmperformance | flash diesel | melbourne malibu | @jamsportsmgmt pic.twitter.com/YKM8tYim3c
— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) September 13, 2020
“There will be lots to learn on the day, such as getting used to the power, downforce and braking of the car and it will all be a challenge, but I love tackling new ones.
“I drove the Bahrain circuit earlier this year when we did the FIA Formula 3 pre-season test, but I’ve obviously never lapped the circuit in an F1 car, so I can’t wait to get out on the track.”
Piastri underwent a seat fitting ahead of his first Formula One test at Renault’s headquarters at Enstone last week.
Renault Sport Academy director Mia Sharizman said Piastri’s test this month was part of the ultimate goal of having him race for the team in Formula One.
“For Oscar, in this case, what we expect for him is not just a taste of (Formula One),” Sharizman said.
“It is a reward, firstly, for winning the (F3) title but giving him a first day is already a plan for us for the next two years with the ultimate aim of driving in Formula 1 with us as a race driver.
“So, this is just the first day of many for him.”
Piastri secured a place in the Renault Sport Academy at the start of this year after winning the Formula Renault Eurocup drivers’ championship in 2019.
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