Renault F1 Lining up a Potential Replacement for Possible Daniel Ricciardo Exit?

There have been a number of rumours surrounding Daniel Ricciardo, linking him to Scuderia Ferrari. While there is very little substance to that rumour, Renault is not taking any chances. If he does leave for greener pastures, the French team has found his replacement. This comes, in the form of academy driver Christian Lundgaard.

The 18-year-old Dane made his Formula 2 debut in late 2019. Before the coronavirus pandemic stuck, Lundgaard was gearing up for his first full F2 season for ART Grand Prix.

However, the Renault F1 team made it clear that they want to promote one of their academy drivers quickly. Since Formula 2 is just a stone’s throw away, Christian Lundgaard is well-placed to fulfil that dream.

“Our goal in having him at the academy has always been to get him in F1 with us,” Academy director Mia Sharizman told Denmark’s BT. “Now he has to run Formula 2 first to collect enough points for the super license you need to have in Formula 1.”

To qualify for a super license, Lundgaard needs to accumulate 40 points, but has 18 so far. So, he needs to finish fourth or higher in the F2 championship to be eligible for 2021.

Will Renault promote him in the future?

“We believe that with what we have seen from him in Formula 3 and Formula Renault. We believe he will take the step further with us,” Sharizman added. “The final step into F1 is also about having a really good season in Formula 2.”

Lundgaard isn’t the only Renault junior in F2 though. China’s Guanyu Zhou is set to compete in his second season this year after an impressive seventh place in 2019 standings.

With Ricciardo’s contract expiring after this year, there is a tantalising prize on offer if the Australian decides not to renew. Worst comes to worst, they could always knock on Nico Hulkenberg’s door once again. Whether he will entertain the team one more time, is another story altogether.