Photo: Zak Mauger/FIA Formula 2
Renault Formula 1 junior Jack Aitken will remain with ART Grand Prix when he steps up to Formula 2 this year.
The Briton finished runner-up in GP3 with ART in 2017, his second year in the category, and then stayed with the French squad for the post-season F2 test in Abu Dhabi, where he was the fastest newcomer.
Aitken will be part of the Renault Sport Academy for a third straight year, having joined the setup following his Formula Renault Eurocup and Alps titles in 2015.
“It?s nice to continue [with Renault] and I think 2018 will be very exciting as I?m moving up to Formula 2 and taking another step towards Formula 1,” said Aitken.
“It?s nice to have settled in at Enstone after a couple of years. To be here for 2018 means a lot and I?m looking forward to the start of the season.
“It all comes down to the results and I need to be the senior driver in terms of showing the way and getting the results in any championship I?m in. You want to be next in line to get into the Formula 1 car so it?s all about results.
“I?d like to be on the pace straight away so that means when everything falls into place we will be challenging for outright pole positions and victories.
“A bit of experience, especially at the level of Formula 2, does help so it will be a challenge to find some consistency and learn about the tyres and the new car. I will be aiming to keep scoring points and chip away at podiums and wins here and there. I?d like to be finishing in the top five in what will be a strong grid.”
“Jack’s promotion to Formula 2 is the logical continuation of our partnership and our collaboration with Renault. Jack was a GP3 contender last year and has the maturity and speed to reach the top categories,” declared ART team manager Sebastien Philippe.
“He knows the circuits and the working methods of ART Grand Prix and his tests in Abu Dhabi have confirmed that he has all the assets needed to reach great heights in 2018. ART Grand Prix?s objective in 2018 is to win the title and Jack will be one of the highlights of our strategy.?
Aitken is likely to go up against his former GP3 rival and team-mate George Russell again in F2, with the Mercedes junior set to be announced in the other ART seat imminently. Other confirmed drivers include Mclaren juniors Lando Norris and Nyck de Vries at Carlin and Prema respectively, and Louis Deletraz and Antonio Fuoco at the Ferrari Driver Academy-branded Charouz Racing System team.