Sirotkin to be Renault’s 2017 reserve

Renault have promoted Russia’s Sergey Sirotkin to be the team’s third and reserve driver for the 2017 Formula One season.

Sirotkin, 21, has been with the team since last April, when he joined as test driver, and took part in Friday practice sessions at both the Russian and Brazilian Grands Prix.

He combined his Renault F1 role with a successful campaign in the supporting GP2 Series, where he finished third in the championship for a second successive season.

For 2017 Sirotkin’s brief will be to support Renault’s F1 race drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Jolyon Palmer. He is expected to attend every round of the season and to make further free practice appearances.

His promotion was announced as Renault revealed their 2017 car, the R.S.17, in London on Tuesday.