Renault’s reserve driver Jack Aitken has left the team after four years with the Enstone-based squad.
Jack Aitken has announced that he has left the Renault Formula 1 team after working with them since 2016. The British-Korean driver was part of the Renault Driver Academy and became Renault F1’s reserve driver in early 2018.
While he had the chance to sample Formula 1 machinery in testing, there was little indication that the Formula 2 driver was being lined up for a step up to an F1 seat and he has decided to look elsewhere in 2020.
Having won three races in a tumultuous Formula 2 campaign with Campos Racing in 2019, Aitken finished in P5 in the Championship – including a particularly eye-catching win in the Silverstone sprint race in front of his home crowd during the summer.
Taking to Twitter, Aitken and his management released a statement confirming his departure from Renault’s programme:
“I would like to express my thanks to Renault and the Academy for helping me reach a position where I can now take a very exciting next step in my career which will keep me on course to fulfil my ambition of reaching the very top of motorsport.” he said.
“I wish the Renault F1 Team and its drivers every success for the future.”
Today, I announce my departure from @RenaultF1Team. I can only say how much I’ll miss every single one of you guys, and moments at Enstone will forever by highlights of my life. Thank you for all you’ve done for me, and wish you the best. Onto a new chapter, and a fresh start. ✌🏻 pic.twitter.com/vYkDpZfY71
— Jack Aitken – 한세용 (@JaitkenRacer) February 3, 2020
Aitken has updated his Twitter account with a mysterious ‘February 4th’ cover photo, suggesting his announcement over his next step could be made on Tuesday.