Todt protege Caio Collet, 16, joins Renault’s young driver scheme

Caio Collet has been confirmed as the latest member of Renault F1’s Driver Academy.

Collet, a member of Nicolas Todt’s All Road Management organisation, claimed last year’s title in French Formula 4, his first full campaign in single-seater competition.

Collet, 16, will compete for reigning champions R-ace GP in Formula Renault Eurocup this season.

“I’m very happy to join the Renault Sport Academy,” said the Brazilian youngster.

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“I knew as part of the prize for winning French Formula 4 there would be the opportunity to join the programme so that was a huge motivation last season.

“The hunger will only grow from here because I want to show Renault that I’m deserving of a place in the Academy and that will mean having a successful season on track in the Formula Renault Eurocup.

“I will be working really hard to meet my targets and I can’t wait to work with Renault and use all their support.”

Renault Sport Academy Director Mia Sharizman added: “We’re very happy to confirm Caio as a Renault Sport Academy Driver.

“Brazil has a strong history of producing talented racing drivers and Caio has what it takes to continue that trend.

“He is among a number of exciting talents we have in the Academy.

“His record in karting is very good and he made an impressive transition into single-seater racing, which he exemplified by his French F4 Championship win.

“We look forward to working with him and in close collaboration with his team at All Road Management over the coming years to progress him through the established motorsport ladder within the framework of the Academy.”

Collet is the second confirmed member of Renault’s refreshed 2019 Academy line-up, after it revealed earlier on Tuesday that Guan Yu Zhou will act as its F1 development driver.

Renault's Academy was revived upon its full-time Formula 1 return in 2016 and it has outlined its ambition to have one of its youngsters on the grid by 2021.

It is due to reveal the remaining members of its 2019 Academy roster on Wednesday.

Brazil has not had a representative on the Formula 1 grid since Felipe Massa’s retirement at the end of 2017 but several young drivers now have affiliations with teams.

Sergio Sette Camara is to occupy a test/development role with McLaren and is in line for in-season test outings in its MCL34.

Pietro Fittipaldi will act as Haas’ test driver this year, having received his maiden Formula 1 run in Abu Dhabi last November, while younger brother Enzo is part of Ferrari’s Driver Academy.