Reigning GP3 Series champion Anthoine Hubert has joined Renault F1’s young driver scheme for 2019.
Hubert picked up an affiliation with the manufacturer prior to start of his 2018 campaign in GP3, which he went on to win, beating occasional Force India tester Nikita Mazepin to the crown.
He has now been confirmed as a fully-fledged member of Renault Sport’s Academy, which was revived upon its return to Formula 1 as a works team in 2016.
Hubert could therefore be in line to sample Formula 1 machinery with Renault during in-season testing, with the team requiring a young driver to fulfil the regulatory criteria.
Hubert will make the step up to Formula 2 this year after signing a deal to race for BWT Arden.
"It’s great to be able to announce I will be stepping up my connection with Renault as an Academy Driver this season," said Hubert.
"I’m really happy and grateful to be entrusted with the role and I can’t wait to keep developing my racing career.
"I learnt a lot racing in GP3, and I will be looking to draw on that experience for Formula 2, which will be a big challenge.
"It’s a bigger car, there are more races – longer in length – with strategy to prepare as well. I know my ability and I look forward to using Renault’s support for a good year."
Renault has previously outlined its ambition to have one of its junior drivers in a Formula 1 race seat in 2021.
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