Renault has added Chinese youngster Ye Yifei to its Academy as it seeks to expand its reach in the country.
Renault has long regarded China as one of the most important markets in the automotive sector and earlier this year appointed Formula 2 racer Guan Yu Zhou as its development driver.
Yifei has already secured a deal to compete for Hitech in this season’s Formula 3 championship.
The 18-year-old won the French Formula 4 title in 2016 and last year finished third in the Formula Renault Eurocup championship.
Yifei joins Zhou, reigning GP3 champion Anthoine Hubert, fellow F3 drivers Christian Lundgaard and Max Fewtrell, along with Victor Martins and Caio Collet, as members of Renault’s Academy.
“It’s a real honour to join the Renault Sport Academy,” said Yifei.
“Over the years I have seen its members go on to achieve great things in racing.
“It gives incredible support in all areas; physical training, working with world-class engineers, media experience and career guidance.
“Of course I also know the importance and privilege of working with a global brand such as Renault and I am looking forward to honouring their reputation with some strong results this year and in the future.
“I will be working hard to reach Formula 1 with Renault F1 Team one day.”
Renault also has ex-Williams racer Sergey Sirotkin and Academy graduate Jack Aitken on its books as reserve and test driver respectively.
