The Gentleman Magazine Issue 15 | June 2019 | Page 29

YOUNG ITALIAN TALENT LEONARDO LORANDI
SIGNS AS RENAULT SPORT AFFILIATE DRIVER
Renault Sport Racing confirms Italian driver Leonardo Lorandi
as the latest Renault Sport Affiliate Driver.
Lorandi’s recruitment comes just before the Monaco round of
the Formula Renault Eurocup this weekend. The 18-year-old,
who hails from Brescia, Northern Italy, currently competes
in the Eurocup with JD Motorsport. He opened his season
campaign strongly at the opening round at Monza, with one
podium and one fastest lap, and currently sits third in the
rookie standings.
The young Italian started karting in 2007, taking titles in 2012,
2014 and 2016 before stepping up to single-seaters in 2017 in
the Italian Formula 4 Championship. He finished a promising
second in the championship in 2018 with five wins, 10 podiums
and three pole positions.
As a Renault Sport Affiliate driver, Leonardo will benefit
from Renault Sport Racing’s advanced technical and physical
training facilities to develop his abilities across the board. His
position also allows Renault to assess his talents on a closer
basis.
Mia Sharizman, Renault Sport Academy director, commented:
“It is a pleasure to work more closely with Leonardo. His initial
performance in single-seaters has been impressive. He has had
a promising start to the Eurocup and can continue his progress
through his role as Affiliate Driver. There is definitely room
for more Italian drivers at the top levels of the sport, and we
hope that Leonardo will develop within the framework of the
Academy.”
Leonardo Lorandi added: “I am really happy and proud to get
this opportunity; I must thank everyone at Renault. With all of
the opportunities Renault offers and the people involved, I feel
as though I can make a huge amount of progress. I achieved a
good result last year in the Italian F4 Championship, but this
is a greater achievement. Being part of such a big and serious
team like Renault is a good opportunity and I won’t waste it. I
want to keep the Renault colours as high as I can.”
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