Formula Renault Eurocup rookie Leonardo Lorandi has become part of the Renault Formula 1 team’s junior programme.

His role of Renault Sport affiliate driver is similar to that which GP3 champion?Anthoine Hubert held last year, before he became a full member of the Renault Sport Academy in 2019.

The 18-year-old Italian – younger brother of former Formula 2 driver Alessio – finished second in Italian F4 last year, before switching to Eurocup this year with JD Motorsport.

He earned a podium in his very first race, and followed it up with two successive points finishes to leave him seventh in the drivers’ championship after the opening two rounds.

?I am really happy and proud to get this opportunity; I must thank everyone at Renault,” Lorandi said.

“With all of the opportunities Renault offers and the people involved, I feel as though I can make a huge amount of progress.

“I achieved a good result last year in the Italian F4 Championship, but this is a greater achievement. Being part of such a big and serious team like Renault is a good opportunity and I won?t waste it. I want to keep the Renault colours as high as I can.”

Victor Martins and Caio Collet, who are also racing in Eurocup this year, are also part of the Renault stable, as well as F2’s Hubert and Guanyu Zhou and FIA F3’s Max Fewtrell, Christian Lundgaard and Ye Yifei.

?It is a pleasure to work more closely with Leonardo,” Renault Sport Academy director Mia Sharizman added. “His initial performance in single-seaters has been impressive.

“He has had a promising start to the Eurocup and can continue his progress through his role as Affiliate Driver.

“There is definitely room for more Italian drivers at the top levels of the sport, and we hope that Leonardo will develop within the framework of the Academy.?