Aitken leaves Renault test driver role

F2 racer Jack Aitken announced on Monday that he is no longer Renault’s test driver, as the 24-year-old said on Twitter that he would be moving “onto a new chapter, and a fresh start.”

Aitken, winner of the 2015 Formula Renault Eurocup, became Renault’s third and reserve driver in 2018 while competing in the Formula 2 championship, in which he finished 11th for ART.

In 2019, he finished fifth in the F2 championship with Campos after taking three wins and four podiums. He also tested the R.S.19 F1 car in Bahrain and Spain in April and May respectively.

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Having moved on from Renault, Aitken is yet to announce his plans for 2020. It's not yet clear where he will race next year (his 2019 F2 team Campos have yet to announce any drivers) or whether he will fulfil a test role for another F1 squad – though his Twitter header image hints at an announcement on Tuesday, February 4.

In a statement, Aitken added: “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.”

Renault, whose Academy recently recruited young hotshoes Oscar Piastri and Hadrien David, said on Twitter: “It's been a pleasure working with you and seeing you go from strength to strength over the years. On track of course, and as a meme machine.”

The Enstone/Viry works team will launch their R.S. 20 soon, with a season launch on February 12.