Piastri completes PREMA line-up for 2020

Australian ace Oscar Piastri has been confirmed in the final PREMA Racing seat for the 2020 campaign, with the 18-year-old set join Logan Sargeant and Frederik Vesti at the Italian outfit.

Piastri surged to the Eurocup Formula Renault title last season with a tally of seven wins, five poles and 11 podiums. Piastri’s success in the competition earned him a place in the Renault F1 Driver Academy and the French manufacturer will support him for his maiden year in F3.

The 18-year-old impressed PREMA during post-season testing at Valencia in October and even topped the times at the end of the afternoon stint on day 2.

On the move, Piastri elated: “I am very excited to join the Renault Sport Academy for 2020 and I can’t wait to get into the new season with Prema Racing in Formula 3.

“Many talented drivers have come through the Academy and there is a strong line-up this year, so I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can from the fellow members.

“It was hard work getting to this point in my career having won the Formula Renault Eurocup last year, but it was all worth it, and I’m extremely proud to now be part of this illustrious team and Academy and maximising their support.”

Piastri initially moved to Europe in 2014 to continue his karting development before making the step up to single-seaters in 2016, in the UAE F4 Championship, where he finished sixth. The Australian then competed in British F4 in 2017, where he took second place with six wins, six poles and 13 podiums.

In 2018, he advanced to Formula Renault, and quickly rose to prominence with his successful 2019 run, before earning his chance in F3 for 2020.

PREMA team principal René Rosin added: "Oscar is a really interesting prospect for the team. He scored plenty of great results during his career so far and we are looking forward to his Formula 3 debut with great anticipation. We worked really hard over the winter to secure a competitive line-up for 2020 and I'm satisfied with how the team has come together.

In addition, we welcome the collaboration with Renault and we are proud of the trust and regard of such an important manufacturer. This year, there will be some pretty big shoes to fill considering how 2019 went, but we will support our drivers at the highest level.”