Who Are They, Anyway - Renault Young Drivers

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By Christine Blachford

It's time to look at our fourth team, in this series of posts examining the young drivers expected to test in Jerez next week. Most of them are names we haven't heard of before, so it seems prudent to do a little bit of background investigation and find out who they are, and why they are getting a golden opportunity. This time, it's Renault's turn.

Bertrand Baguette

  • Age: 23
  • Nationality: Belgian
  • F1 Experience: None
  • Notable Achievements: 4th Formula Renault 2.0 2006, 12th Superleague Formula 2008, 1st World Series by Renault 2009

Baguette's test comes about after his win in the World Series by Renault this year, and he has made steady progress through the Renault formulae throughout his career so far. Bertrand himself says that although he wants to get the fastest lap, for him the experience will be about proving he can analyse testing results and communicate well with the team. It's a strange kind of ambition, but he certainly seems to want to be part of the team.

Bertrand is prepping for his test with a special physical training course and has visited the Renault factory at Enstone for a bull briefing on the testing programme. He also has one of the best names ever, so I am rooting for him.

Bertrand is currently scheduled to test for just the first day in Jerez.

Lucas di Grassi

  • Age: 25
  • Nationality: Brazilian
  • F1 Experience: Honda test driver, Renault test driver
  • Notable Achievements: 3rd Formula 3 Euroseries 2005, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd GP2 Series 2007-09

Lucas has been in the test driver role for a while now, often being spotted around the paddock with either Honda or Renault. In his capacity as a GP2 driver, he has been held off the championship for several years in a row, but his time with team Campos have put him squarely in the frame for a rumoured race seat in 2010. Clearly he is regarded highly as one of the upcoming drivers.

At 25, he's got plenty of experience under his belt, so he'll be intent on showing that off next week. He also happens to be delicious.

Lucas is currently scheduled to test for the final two days in Jerez.

Ho-Pin Tung

  • Age: 26
  • Nationality: Chinese
  • F1 Experience: Test with Williams, Test with BMW in 2007
  • Notable Achievements: 4th in GP2 2007, 1st in GP2 Asia 2008, 11th Superleague Formula 2009

Ho-Pin Tung isn't a name I have heard of, and he seemed to be a late confirmation by Renault, but he has been linked with BMW in the past and handled duties as a Williams test driver for a short period, so he is a known in the paddock. His two years at GP2 saw only a couple of points finishes, and no podiums, but he did win one event at the last race of the Superleague season.

From the looks of things, Ho-Pin is currently scheduled to share the final two days of the Jerez test with di Grassi.

All Posts in The Series: Jerez Testing December 2009

  1. Who Are They, Anyway - Toro Rosso Young Drivers
  2. Who Are They, Anyway - Mercedes Young Drivers
  3. Who Are They, Anyway - Renault Young Drivers
  4. Who Are They, Anyway - Red Bull Young Drivers
  5. Who Are They, Anyway - Williams Young Drivers
  6. Who Are They, Anyway - Ferrari Young Drivers
  7. Who Are They, Anyway - McLaren Young Drivers
  8. Who Are They, Anyway - BMW Young Drivers
  9. Who Are They, Anyway - Force India Young Drivers
  10. Jerez Testing Dec 09 - Day One
  11. Jerez Testing Dec 09 - Day Two
  12. Jerez Testing Dec 09 - Day Three
  13. Jerez Test December 2009 Roundup

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3 Responses

  • 29/11/2009 at 18:00:13#1 - Steven Roy said:

    Any Chinese driver who can get a car round a track without killing himself will get a test as the teams want to try and get some Chinese sponsorship and Chinese fans because it is such a big country. Williams gave a couple of tests to Franky Cheng a couple of years ago despite the fact he has never won anything else ever.

  • 29/11/2009 at 19:58:45#2 - rowley said:

    Any Chinese driver who can get a car round a track without killing himself will get a test as the teams want to try and get some Chinese sponsorship and Chinese fans because it is such a big country.

    I'm sorry Steven but I have to disagree with you very strongly indeed.
    Ho Pin Tung has a good CV. Champion in German F3 in 2006 for example.
    You should have a look at the drivers he beat in that year. Maybe you have heard of Renger van der Zande or some guy named Nico Hulckenberg.
    Ho Pin Tung has also been a good driver in A1GP and this year he won the last race in Superleague Formula.
    He won't be the big find in testing next week, but he totally deserves testing for Renault.
    This won't be his first F1 test, having tested for Williams already a few years ago. I hope to see him performing well and maybe get a chance to do some more testing.

  • 30/11/2009 at 04:52:00#3 - F1Wolf said:

    Ho Pin Tung - here is a photo I took in Shanghai 2007. He was there doing the donuts in BMW Pit Lane park. I am sure I should also have some the donut pics but can't find them for some reason


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