Oscar Piastri joins FIA Formula 3 as Renault Academy driver
Formula Renault Eurocup champion Oscar Piastri will compete in the 2020 FIA Formula 3 Championship with Prema Racing, as a Renault Sport Academy driver.
The Australian driver took the Formula Renault Eurocup with seven victories and 11 podiums, in hard-fought battles with the competitive field. He was also runner-up in the 2017 British F4 Championship.
The Melbournian tested with Prema during the FIA F3 tests last October, where he finished fastest during the afternoon session on day two.
The FIA F3 Championship commences at Sakhir, Bahrain, over the weekend of March 20-22. Piastri will join fellow Australians Alex Peroni, Jack Doohan, and Calan Williams in the series, with all but Peroni making their debut this year.
Piastri said “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Prema Racing for the 2020 season and excited to step up into the FIA Formula 3 Championship.”
“I have enjoyed two great years in the Formula Renault Eurocup and cannot wait to test myself against drivers at this level.”
“Prema is a top team for a reason. It has a professional approach and attitude to winning which runs throughout the organisation, and the management have made me feel welcome already. I cannot wait to get to know my engineers and start working with them.”
“I am also very excited to join the Renault Sport Academy for 2020. Many talented drivers have come through it and there is a strong line-up this year, so I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can from the fellow members. It was hard work getting to this point in my career having won the Formula Renault Eurocup last year, but it was all worth it, and I’m extremely proud to now be part of this illustrious team and Academy and maximising their support.”
René Rosin, Team Principal of Prema Racing, said:
"Oscar is a really interesting prospect for the team. He scored plenty of great results during his career so far and we are looking forward to his Formula 3 debut with great anticipation.”
“We worked really hard over the winter to secure a competitive line-up for 2020 and I'm satisfied with how the team has come together. In addition, we welcome the collaboration with Renault and we are proud of the trust and regard of such an important manufacturer. This year, there will be some pretty big shoes to fill considering how 2019 went, but we will support our drivers at the highest level.”
Mia Sharizman, Renault Sport Academy Director, said:
“We’re very excited to welcome Oscar to the Renault Sport Academy. We had the opportunity to monitor Oscar for the last three years in British F4 and the Formula Renault Eurocup. We were very impressed every time we saw Oscar, especially with his performances last season.
“He kept his cool against tough competition to secure the title in the closing stages of the year. He has great natural ability and is one of Australia’s most exciting young racing prospects. Oscar will face a competitive field in Formula 3, but we will support him in all areas throughout his rookie season.”
