British/Korean driver Jack Aitken has joined Williams Racing as reserve driver for the 2020 Formula 1 season.
After announcing on Monday that he was leaving Renault where he’d been reserve driver and part of their 2019 test team, it was revealed a day later that he was heading to Grove ‘to start a new chapter’ in his career.
Aitken’s role will involve him being in attendance at all 22 (or 21 if the Chinese Grand Prix is cancelled and not rescheduled) Grand Prix in 2020, and importantly, an outing in FP1 – his first in Formula 1.
Jack Aitken is the latest addition to Williams Racing’s driver programme, following the arrival of Dan Ticktum and Roy Nissany, and the resigning of Jamie Chadwick.
Crucially, though, Jack Aitken has the all important 40+ Super Licence points that would allow him to race in Formula 1 tomorrow if the chance arose, something Ticktum, Nissany and Chadwick are without.
Jack won the Formula Renault Eurocup title at the second attempt in 2015, before moving up to GP3 with Arden for 2016, winning one race en route to fifth in the championship.
Another GP3 win followed in 2017 ahead of a move to Formula 2 for 2018, where he again took a single win & 11th in the championship.
By now one of the mainstays of the Renault Sport Academy Jack became Renault F1’s reserve driver in 2019, alongside Formula 2, where he scored three race wins and a fifth place in the drivers’ championship, three behind (now fellow) Williams Racing driver Nicholas Latifi in second.
“It is a great honour to join ROKiT Williams Racing as their Reserve Driver for the 2020 season.” Aitken said on the Williams Racing website.
“Williams is a team with strong heritage, and continued longevity, and I’m looking forward to directly contributing to their development through my simulator and testing work.”
Claire Williams, Williams Deputy Team Principal added:
“We believe he [Jack Aitken] has the right credentials to reach the top in the sport. Jack has proved his ability in FIA Formula 2 and GP3 and we look forward to seeing what he can achieve as the team’s Official Reserve Driver.”
Best of luck Jack!
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