Jack Aitken will step up to the role of test and reserve driver for Renault’s Formula 1 team this year, with Artem Markelov joining in a test and development position.
Aitken was part of the first intake of Renault’s revived young driver scheme at the start of 2016 and last season finished runner-up to Mercedes protégé George Russell in the GP3 Series.
Aitken received his first taste of Formula 1 machinery during a private outing in Renault’s 2012-spec E20 at Jerez last year, and will now move up to the reserve role, providing back-up to Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz Jr.
“It feels amazing to take up the role as third and reserve driver,” said Aitken, who replaces Sergey Sirotkin, following the Russian's capture of a Williams seat.
“It hasn’t quite processed yet, but I’m going to step up my involvement with the team quite a lot.
“Over the first Barcelona test it will start to feel real and sink in a little bit more."
Markelov, meanwhile, finished runner-up to Charles Leclerc in Formula 2 last year, and is slated to appear in both the RS.16 and RS.18 at stages this year.
“We are still in the process of finalising my 2018 programme,” said Markelov, who will stay on with Russian Time in Formula 2.
“It will be a season full of watching and learning and when the time comes to drive the Formula 1 car, I’ll be prepared.
“I will also help the team at the factory with simulator work to accelerate development of the Renault RS.18.
“I will have to understand the car quickly and adapt as best I can to help both myself and the team. It’s so important to keep learning, and everyday I’ll try to learn something new and improve.”
