French Formula 4 champion Caio Collet has joined the Renault Sport Academy and will race in the Formula Renault Eurocup with R-ace GP this year.

The Brazilian, a protege of Nicolas Todt’s All Road Management firm, won the French F4 title last season in his first year out of karts.

His prize included an offer to join Renault’s junior programme, which he has taken up.

Collet will move up to the Eurocup after testing the championship’s outgoing car with R-ace GP last year.

He joins second-year Eurocup racer Oscar Piastri with a confirmed seat with the team, which won 13 out of 20 races in 2018.

?I knew as part of the prize for winning French F4 there would be the opportunity to join the programme so that was a huge motivation last season,” said Collet.

“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.?

Collet is the second new addition to the Renault Sport Academy line-up for 2019 to be announced, following Formula 2 racer Guanyu Zhou

?We?re very happy to confirm Caio as a Renault Sport Academy Driver,” said the programme’s head Mia Sharizman.

“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.”