The stepping-stone system set up by Renault Sport Technologies, designed to give the most talented young drivers a pathway into Formula 1, is one of the most comprehensive and effective systems existing today, with the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. In collaboration with the French Motorsport Federation (FFSA) and the Auto Sport Academy, a new step is set to complete the system with the arrival of F4 Eurocup 1.6 in the World Series by Renault.
Ever since the creation of the “Filière Elf” in 1993, Renault Sport Technologies has been associated with this major programme designed to introduce budding young drivers to the world of motorsport. In 2001 the scheme became the Filière FFSA, and in 2007 this “school for champions” took on an international dimension with the creation of the Auto Sport Academy.
As an international training centre, Auto Sport Academy is one of a kind, with a flagship discipline -the Formul’Academy Euro Series- lending it a special vocation to detect, nurture, train and promote the best drivers.
As a logical development of the internationalization initiative for the “filière”, Renault Sport Technologies and the French Motorsport Federation are proud to announce the replacement of Formul’Academy Euro Series by the creation of the F4 Eurocup 1.6. As of 2010, this discipline will be a part of the World Series by Renault, offering the perfect entry level in the pyramid system set up by Renault for accessing Formula 1.
“With the F4 Eurocup 1.6 now joining the World Series by Renault, we are in a position to help drivers right from their debut in single-seater racing through to their ultimate goal of Formula 1” explains Rémi Deconinck, Managing Director of Renault Sport Technologies. “Today Renault is the only car manufacturer to have built a driver development system that is so clearly structured and effective. A young driver can start out in F4 Eurocup 1.6, where he will also follow a training programme in parallel at the Auto Sport Academy. The logical next step is to compete in a Formula Renault 2.0 national championship then in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0. Then comes the ultimate step-up before Formula 1, which is the Formula Renault 3.5 Series.”
With New Formula Renault 2.0 all set to go in 2010, the World Series by Renault -a concept launched by Renault Sport Technologies in 2005- is making its mark in terms of renewal and innovation. Over 3,300,000 spectators already attended these World Series by Renault meetings that combine top flight motorsport and entertainment tailored to please the whole family.
“It’s a real opportunity for our young drivers to be able to compete within the World Series by Renault framework as of 2010”, adds FFSA President Nicolas Deschaux. “This move is in line with our determination to internationalize, and that stems from the creation of Auto Sport Academy in 2007. The young drivers trained at the Auto Sport Academy also come from many countries. We needed to take part in major race meetings, essentially on Formula 1 circuits. Joining the World Series by Renault and the car maker’s single-seater programme is a strategic move and in our view will represent a great asset for our young talents who aim to gain access to the world of motorsport through the Federation’s training centre. Not only will the drivers in F4 Eurocup 1.6 be competing in the best possible conditions, they will also be seen by the teams in those disciplines where they are likely to be looking to compete a little further on down the road.’
So the seven meetings planned for World Series by Renault in 2010 will comprise four disciplines: Formula Renault 3.5 Series, Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, with the launch of New Formula Renault 2.0, Eurocup Mégane Trophy and now F4 Eurocup 1.6.
