GP2 race winner Sergey Sirotkin will remain as Renault’s Formula 1 reserve driver for the upcoming season.
During the team’s launch of its 2017 challenger dubbed the R.S.17, Renault’s managing director Cyril Abiteboul confirmed the Russian driver’s role within the team and will be expected to deputise for either Jolyon Palmer or Nico Hulkenberg should either driver be unable to partake in a grand prix weekend.
“I am so happy to continue the development programme with Sergey after another very good season in GP2,” Abiteboul said.
“He will continue to focus on his development role with us as the reserve driver for the team.”
Sirotkin will have more outings for the French manufacturer in 2017 after taking part in FP1 during the Russian Grand Prix.
“He will have more opportunity to run in the car on Friday and that is to get the whole team involved,” Abiteboul added.
“His level of professionalism and attention to detail is outstanding and he is constantly at the factory looking at the simulator. That is something which we noticed and something we are happy to maintain in the team.”
