Formula 2 racer Jack Aitken has joined Williams has a reserve driver for the 2020 Formula 1 season, the team has confirmed.

Aitken spent last season as a reserve driver for Renault, but the 24-year-old confirmed on Monday that he had left the team in pursuit of a new challenge.

In addition to his Renault role, Aitken spent last season racing for Campos Racing, and finished fifth in the driver’s standings, having won three races.

In his role with Williams, Aitken will attend every Grand Prix this season and will be on hand to step in if either George Russell or Nicholas Latifi are unable to race.

He will also take part in one FP1 session during the year, and will help the team by carrying out numerous simulator sessions in addition to undertaking media duties.

Speaking about the announcement, Aitken said: “It is a great honour to join ROKiT Williams Racing as their Reserve Driver for the 2020 season.

“Williams is a team with strong heritage, and continued longevity, and I’m looking forward to directly contributing to their development through my simulator and testing work.

Williams Deputy Team Principal, Claire Williams believes that Aitken has the potential to reach the top of Formula 1, and impressed the team with his strong season in Formula 2 last year.

“It is obvious from what Jack has achieved so far he is a young driver with a great career ahead of him, and we believe he has the right credentials to reach the top in the sport.” commented Williams.

“Jack has proved his ability in FIA Formula 2 and GP3 and we look forward to seeing what he can achieve as the team’s Official Reserve Driver.”

Aitken is the fourth driver to have been signed to the testing and reserve team by Williams this year, after the signings of Dan Ticktum, Jamie Chadwick and Roy Nissany,