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Alpine Academy
Program to support young racing drivers through their careers
Program to support young racing drivers through their careers
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | FRA Alpine Academy |
| logo | Alpine Academy Logo.png |
| founded | (as RF1 Driver Programme) |
| base | Enstone, Oxfordshire, England |
| principal | Julian Rouse (Director) |
| drivers | |
| current drivers | FIA Formula 2 |
| IND Kush Maini | |
| ITA Gabriele Minì | |
| FIA Formula 3 | |
| ITA Nicola Lacorte | |
| GB3 | |
| UAE Keanu Al Azhari | |
| Italian F4 | |
| SGP Kabir Anurag | |
| F1 Academy | |
| NED Nina Gademan | |
| Karting | |
| CAN Ilie Tristan Crisan | |
| GBR Sukhmani Kaur Khera | |
| website | https://www.alpine-cars.co.uk/formula-1/alpine-academy.html |
IND Kush Maini ITA Gabriele Minì FIA Formula 3 ITA Nicola Lacorte GB3 UAE Keanu Al Azhari Italian F4 SGP Kabir Anurag F1 Academy NED Nina Gademan Karting CAN Ilie Tristan Crisan GBR Sukhmani Kaur Khera
The Alpine Academy, formerly known as the RF1 Driver Programme, Renault Driver Development and Renault Sport Academy, is a driver development programme to support young racing drivers through their careers. The programme was created by Renault F1 in 2002.
In 2011, the programme was renamed LRGP Academy, following the rebranding of the team to "Lotus Renault GP". In 2012, the programme was renamed Lotus F1 Team iRace Professional Programme and 2013–2015, the programme was renamed Lotus F1 Junior Team. In 2021, the programme was renamed Alpine Academy after the rebranding of the Renault F1 team into Alpine F1 Team. In March 2022, the Alpine Affiliates programme was launched as a support to drivers starting their motorsport careers, and is intended to be a feeder for the Alpine Academy. However, it was merged into Alpine Academy at the start of 2023.
Current drivers
| Driver | Years | Current Series | Titles as Alpine junior |
|---|---|---|---|
| IND Kush Maini | 2023– | FIA Formula 2 Championship | none as Alpine Academy member |
| ITA Gabriele Minì | 2023– | FIA Formula 2 Championship | none as Alpine Academy member |
| SGP Kabir Anurag | 2024– | Formula Regional Middle East Trophy | |
| Formula Regional European Championship | none as Alpine Academy member | ||
| ITA Nicola Lacorte | 2024– | FIA Formula 3 Championship | none as Alpine Academy member |
| UAE Keanu Al Azhari | 2025– | Eurocup-3 | none as Alpine Academy member |
| NLD Nina Gademan | 2025– | F1 Academy | none as Alpine Academy member |
| GBR Sukhmani Kaur Khera | 2025– | British Kart Championships | none as Alpine Academy member |
| CAN Ilie Tristan Crisan | 2025– | Karting (OK-J) | none as Alpine Academy member |
Graduates to Formula 1
This list contains the drivers that have graduated to Formula 1 while being supported by Renault, Lotus Renault, or Alpine. Therefore, drivers who have had support in the past and entered Formula 1 through other means are not included. For example, both Zhou Guanyu and Oscar Piastri were members of the Alpine Academy, however, they broke their ties with the academy to pursue a graduation to Formula 1 with another team.
| Driver | Academy experience | F1 experience with Renault/Lotus/Alpine | F1 experience with other teams | Years | Former series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIN Heikki Kovalainen | 2002–2005 | British Formula 3 Championship (2002) | |||
| World Series by Nissan (2003–**2004**) | |||||
| GP2 Series (2005) | McLaren (–) | ||||
| Team Lotus (–) | |||||
| Caterham () | |||||
| Lotus F1 () | |||||
| FRA Romain Grosjean | 2006–2009 | Formula 3 Euro Series (2006–**2007**) | |||
| GP2 Asia Series (**2008**) | |||||
| GP2 Series (2008–2009) | |||||
| – | Haas (–) | ||||
| AUS Jack Doohan | 2022–2024 | FIA Formula 2 Championship (2022–2023) | – |
Former drivers
Renault / Lotus Renault GP (2002–2011)
| Driver | Years | Series competed | F1 Team(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRA Fabio Carbone | 2002 | British Formula 3 Championship (2002) | None |
| POL Robert Kubica | 2002 | Italian Formula Renault Championship (2002) | BMW Sauber (2006–2009) |
| Renault (2010) | |||
| Williams (2019) | |||
| Alfa Romeo (2021) | |||
| PRT Tiago Monteiro | 2002 | French Formula Three Championship (2002) | |
| International Formula 3000 (2002) | Jordan (2005) | ||
| Midland F1 (2006) | |||
| NLD Carlo van Dam | 2002 | Karting (2002) | None |
| FRA Eric Salignon | 2002–2003 | Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (**2002**) | |
| Championnat de France Formula Renault 2.0 (2002) | |||
| British Formula 3 Championship (2003) | None | ||
| GBR Danny Watts | 2003 | British Formula 3 Championship (2003) | None |
| ARG José María López | 2003–2006 | Formula Renault V6 Eurocup (2003) | |
| International Formula 3000 (2004) | |||
| GP2 Series (2005–2006) | None | ||
| NLD Giedo van der Garde | 2004 | Formula 3 Euro Series (2004) | Caterham (2013) |
| FRA Loïc Duval | 2004–2005 | Formula 3 Euro Series (2004–2005) | None |
| VEN Pastor Maldonado | 2004–2005 | Italian Formula Renault Championship (**2004**) | |
| Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (2004) | |||
| Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2005) | Williams (2011–2013) | ||
| Lotus F1 (2014–2015) | |||
| BEL Jérôme d'Ambrosio | 2004, 2010 | Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (2004) | |
| Championnat de France Formula Renault 2.0 (2004) | |||
| GP2 Series (2010) | Virgin Racing (2011) | ||
| Lotus F1 (2012) | |||
| BRA Lucas di Grassi | 2005–2007 | Formula 3 Euro Series (2005) | |
| GP2 Series (2006–2007) | Virgin Racing (2010) | ||
| GBR Ben Hanley | 2006–2008 | Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2006–2007) | |
| GP2 Series (2008) | None | ||
| ESP Dani Clos | 2007 | Formula 3 Euro Series (2007) | None |
| FRA Nelson Panciatici | 2007 | Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (2007) | |
| Championnat de France Formula Renault 2.0 (2007) | None | ||
| FRA Charles Pic | 2009 | Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2009) | Marussia (2012) |
| Caterham (2013) | |||
| DNK Marco Sørensen | 2009 | Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (2009) | |
| Formula Renault 2.0 NEC (2009) | None | ||
| ITA Davide Valsecchi | 2009 | GP2 Series (2009) | None |
| CZE Jan Charouz | 2010–2011 | Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2010–11) | |
| Auto GP (2011) | None | ||
| CHN Ho-Pin Tung | 2010–2011 | GP2 Series (2010) | |
| Superleague Formula (2011) | None | ||
| MYS Fairuz Fauzy | 2011 | GP2 Series (2011) | None |
- Championship titles highlighted in bold.
Lotus F1 (2012–2015)
| Driver | Years | Series competed | F1 Team(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EST Kevin Korjus | 2012 | Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2012) | None |
| NZL Richie Stanaway | 2012 | Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2012) | None |
| COL Óscar Tunjo | 2012–2014 | Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (2012–2013) | |
| Formula Renault 2.0 Alps (2012) | |||
| Formula Renault 2.0 NEC (2013) | |||
| Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2014) | |||
| GP3 Series (2015) | None | ||
| FRA Esteban Ocon | 2012–2014 | Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (2012–2013) | |
| Formula Renault 2.0 Alps (2012) | |||
| Formula Renault 2.0 NEC (2013) | |||
| FIA Formula 3 European Championship (2014) | |||
| Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2014) | Manor (2016) | ||
| Force India (2017–2018) | |||
| Racing Point Force India (2018) | |||
| Renault (2020) | |||
| Alpine (2021–2024) | |||
| Haas (2025–) | |||
| FRA Dorian Boccolacci | 2012–2015 | Karting (2012–13) | |
| French F4 Championship (2014) | |||
| FIA Formula 3 European Championship (2015) | None | ||
| CHE Alex Fontana | 2013–2014 | GP3 Series (2013–2014) | None |
| DNK Marco Sørensen | 2013–2015 | Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2013–2014) | |
| GP2 Series (2014–2015) | |||
| FIA World Endurance Championship (2015) | None | ||
| THA Alexander Albon | 2013–2015 | Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (2013–2014) | |
| Formula Renault 2.0 NEC (2013–2014) | |||
| FIA Formula 3 European Championship (2015) | Toro Rosso (2019) | ||
| Red Bull (2019–2020) | |||
| Williams (2022–) | |||
| PHL Marlon Stöckinger | 2013–2015 | Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2013–2015) | |
| GP2 Series (2015) | None | ||
| ZAF Callan O'Keeffe | 2014 | Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (2014) | |
| Formula Renault 2.0 NEC (2014) | None | ||
| GBR Gregor Ramsay | 2014 | Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (2014) | |
| Formula Renault 2.0 NEC (2014) | None | ||
| USA Juan Manuel Correa | 2014–2015 | Karting (2014–2015) | None |
| FRA Matthieu Vaxivière | 2015 | Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2015) | |
| Formula Renault 2.0 Alps (2015) | None | ||
| CZE Petr Ptáček | 2015 | Karting (2015) | None |
Renault Sport (2016–2020)
| Driver | Years | Series competed | F1 Team(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHE Louis Delétraz | 2016 | GP2 Series (2016) | |
| Formula V8 3.5 Series (2016) | None | ||
| CHE Kevin Jörg | 2016 | GP3 Series (2016) | None |
| GBR Oliver Rowland | 2016 | GP2 Series (2016) | None |
| GBR Jack Aitken | 2016–2018 | GP3 Series (2016–17) | |
| FIA Formula 2 Championship () | Williams (2020) | ||
| CHN Sun Yueyang | 2016–2018 | Karting (2016) | |
| Formula Renault Eurocup (2017) | |||
| Formula Renault NEC (2017) | |||
| BRDC British Formula 3 Championship (2018) | None | ||
| ESP Marta García | 2017 | Spanish F4 Championship (2017) | |
| SMP F4 Championship (2017) | None | ||
| NLD Jarno Opmeer | 2017 | Formula Renault Eurocup (2017) | None |
| FRA Sacha Fenestraz | 2017–2018 | Formula Renault Eurocup (2017) | |
| FIA Formula 3 European Championship (2018) | |||
| GP3 Series (2018) | None | ||
| GBR Max Fewtrell | 2017–2020 | Formula Renault Eurocup (2017–2018) | |
| Formula Renault NEC (2017–18) | |||
| FIA Formula 3 Championship (2019–20) | None | ||
| DNK Christian Lundgaard | 2017–2020 | SMP F4 Championship (2017) | |
| F4 Spanish Championship (2017) | |||
| Formula Renault Eurocup (2018) | |||
| FIA Formula 3 Championship (2019) | |||
| FIA Formula 2 Championship (2020) | None | ||
| FRA Arthur Rougier | 2018 | Formula Renault Eurocup (2018) | None |
| FRA Anthoine Hubert | 2018–2019 | FIA Formula 2 Championship () | None |
| FRA Victor Martins | 2018–2019 | Formula Renault Eurocup (2018–2019) | None |
| ITA Leonardo Lorandi | 2019 | Formula Renault Eurocup (2019) | None |
| CHN Yifei Ye | 2019 | FIA Formula 3 Championship (2019) | None |
| BRA Caio Collet | 2019–2020 | Formula Renault Eurocup (2019–2020) | None |
| CHN Guanyu Zhou | 2019–2020 | FIA Formula 2 Championship (2019–2020) | Alfa Romeo (2022–2023) |
| Kick Sauber (2024) | |||
| FRA Hadrien David | 2020 | Formula Renault Eurocup (2020) | None |
| AUS Oscar Piastri | 2020 | FIA Formula 3 Championship (2020) | McLaren (2023–) |
- Championship titles highlighted in bold.
Alpine F1 (2021–)
| Driver | Years | Series competed | F1 Team(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNK Christian Lundgaard | 2021 | FIA Formula 2 Championship (2021) | |
| IndyCar Series (2021) | None | ||
| CHN Guanyu Zhou | 2021 | FIA Formula 2 Championship (2021) | |
| F3 Asian Championship (**2021**) | Alfa Romeo (2022–2023) | ||
| Kick Sauber (2024) | |||
| BRA Caio Collet | 2021–2022 | FIA Formula 3 Championship (2021–2022) | None |
| AUS Oscar Piastri | 2021–2022 | FIA Formula 2 Championship (2021) | McLaren (2023–) |
| FRA Victor Martins | 2021–2024 | FIA Formula 3 Championship (2021–2022) | |
| FIA Formula 2 Championship (2023–2024) | None | ||
| GBR Olli Caldwell | 2022 | FIA Formula 2 Championship (2022) | None |
| FRA Hadrien David | 2022 | Formula Regional European Championship (2022) | None |
| BRA Matheus Ferreira | 2022–2023 | Italian F4 Championship (2023) | |
| F4 Brazilian Championship (2023) | None | ||
| JPN Kean Nakamura-Berta | 2022–2024 | Karting (2022–2023) | |
| Formula 4 UAE Championship (2024) | |||
| Italian F4 Championship (2024) | |||
| Euro 4 Championship (2024) | None | ||
| GBR Abbi Pulling | 2022–2024 | W Series (2022) | |
| F1 Academy (2023–2024) | |||
| F4 British Championship (2024) | None | ||
| BUL Nikola Tsolov | 2022–2024 | F4 Spanish Championship (2022) | |
| FIA Formula 3 Championship (2023–2024) | None | ||
| GBR Aiden Neate | 2023 | Formula Regional Middle East Championship (2023) | |
| F4 British Championship (2023) | None | ||
| GER Sophia Flörsch | 2023–2024 | FIA Formula 3 Championship (2023–2024) | None |
- Championship titles highlighted in bold.
Rac(H)er Karting Programme
| Driver | Years | Series competed |
|---|---|---|
| SUI Chiara Bättig | 2023 | OK Junior Switzerland |
| AUS Aiva Anagnostiadis | 2023–2024 | Australian Kart Championship |
| Rotax Winter Cup | ||
| IAME Euro Serie | ||
| FRA Lisa Billard | 2023–2024 | South Garda Winter Cup - OKJ |
| WSK Super Master Series - OKJ | ||
| Championnat de France - Nationale | ||
| Champions of the Future - OKJ | ||
| CIK-FIA Academy Trophy | ||
| ITA Mariachiara Nardelli | 2023–2024 | Italian ACI Karting Championship |
| FRA Angélina Proenca | 2023–2024 | IAME Euro Series |
Notes
References
References
- Howard, Tom. (2021-02-10). "Alpine F1 team launches rebranded junior academy". [[Motorsport Network]].
- (19 January 2011). "Fairuz Fauzy to become Renault reserve". [[Formula One Group.
- (9 March 2022). "Alpine launches new 'Affiliate' driver programme". Motorsport Week.
- Wood, Ida. (2023-10-24). "Mika Hakkinen's protege Kush Maini becomes Alpine F1 junior".
- "Mini and Tsolov join Alpine Academy for 2023 season".
- Almeida, Mario. (15 April 2024). "Kabir Anurag joins the Alpine Academy programme".
- (2023-12-04). "Alpine adds Nicola Lacorte in its F1 academy".
- Wood, Ida. (18 March 2025). "Keanu Al Azhari joins Alpine Academy ahead of GB3 move".
- (30 January 2025). "Hitech embark on first-ever assault on Formula Winter Series".
- (18 February 2025). "BWT Alpine Formula One Team is proud to announce Alpine Rac(H)er driver Sukhmani Khera graduates to full-time Alpine Academy member 🙌".
- Wood, Ida. (26 January 2025). "WSK Super Master Series begins with unveiling of new Alpine junior".
- "Alfa Romeo announce Guanyu Zhou as Valtteri Bottas's team mate for 2022 {{!}} Formula 1®".
- "EXCLUSIVE: Piastri on joining McLaren, leaving Alpine and making his F1 debut". Formula One.
- (14 February 2007). "The Renault Driver development Programme announces its 2007 class". [[Renault Sport]].
- (19 January 2009). "The Renault Driver development Programme announces its 2009 class". f1technical.net.
- Allen, Peter. (5 February 2012). "Lotus and Gravity launch iRace Professional Programme". Peter Allen.
- (15 February 2013). "Lotus F1 Junior Team drivers announced". JHED Media BV.
- Allen, Peter. (2 April 2014). "O'Keeffe and Ramsay join Lotus F1 Junior Team". PaddockScout.com.
- (4 November 2014). "Petr Ptacek Jr avec Lotus F1 Junior Team et Energy en 2015".
- Allen, Peter. (3 February 2016). "Renault names Ocon as F1 reserve, plus four-man academy". Paddock Scout.
- Khorounzhiy, Valentin. (13 April 2016). "Renault signs Chinese karting driver Sun Yue Yang". [[Motorsport.com]].
- Allen, Peter. (December 18, 2018). "Sacha Fenestraz loses Renault academy status and looks to Japan for 2019". FormulaScout.
- (21 February 2017). "Aitken leads 2017 Renault Sport Academy line-up".
- (31 March 2017). "Garcia and Lundgaard announced to Renault Sport Academy".
- Horton, Phillip. (23 January 2019). "GP3 champion Anthoine Hubert joins Renault F1 scheme, makes F2 move". Motorsport Week.
- (31 August 2019). "F2 driver Hubert killed in Spa-Francorchamps crash". Motorsport.com.
- (15 January 2018). "French F4 rivals Rougier and Martins become Renault juniors ahead of Eurocup moves".
- (23 May 2019). "Leonardo Lorandi earns Renault F1 affiliate driver status". Formula Scout.
- Allen, Peter. (11 April 2019). "Yifei Ye joins Renault Sport Academy ahead of FIA F3". FormulaScout.
- (22 January 2019). "Renault Sport Academy signs Caio Collet".
- (22 January 2019). "GUANYU ZHOU JOINS THE RENAULT SPORT ACADEMY FOR 2019".
- (2022-03-09). "Alpine Academy introduces Affiliate programme and Abbi Pulling as the academy's first ever female driver".
- (January 26, 2020). "Piastri combines with Prema for FIA Formula 3 Championship and joins Renault Sport Academy".
- "Piastri to drive for McLaren as Alpine lose appeal". BBC Sport.
- Larkam, Lewis. (2021-02-10). "Alpine F1 team reveals Academy line-up for 2021 season".
- (2022-02-14). "Alpine adds Doohan and Caldwell to F1 driver academy".
- (2023-02-14). "Alpine présente le cru 2023 de son Academy".
- [https://www.fiaformula3.com/Latest/5zPRKSafty78mgYZugp1XQ/mini-and-tsolov-join-alpine-academy-for-2023-season Mini and Tsolov join Alpine Academy for 2023 season]
- "I would like to thank Alpine Academy". [[Nikola Tsolov]] on [[Instagram]].
- (2023-02-16). "Alpine's RAC(H)ER programme for equal opportunity announces new talents and the creation of its human high-performance centre".
- (17 February 2023). "Announcement". @chiarabaettig on [[Instagram]].
- (29 December 2023). "As I continue to prepare for the new racing season". @chiarabaettig on [[Instagram]].
- (2023-02-17). "Alpine launches all-female karting programme".
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