Sirotkin lands Renault F1 test driver role

Sirotkin, 20, is a race winner in Formula Abarth, AutoGP, Formula Renault 3.5 and GP2, having finished his rookie campaign in the latter series in third place last year.

As part of his new duties, the Russian is to drive the Renault RS16 in a number of free practice sessions during the 2016 F1 season, starting with his home grand prix in Sochi.

He will replace Kevin Magnussen.

"This is a great opportunity for me, although it has all come together so quickly," Sirotkin said.

"I still can't quite believe it. This is, however, the moment that all young racing drivers are working towards, and I am determined to learn as much as I can, as quickly as I can, doing the best possible job for the team while driving in Free Practice 1."

He will combine his new role with a second campaign in GP2, having switched to championship-winning ART Grand Prix squad - the very team that had been co-founded by Renault F1 boss Frederic Vasseur.

Sirotkin had previously held a role with Sauber F1, having joined the team back in 2013 with the aim of being promoted to a race seat. He made his grand prix weekend debut in FP1 in Sochi in 2014, but soon split with the Swiss team.

Having now joined Renault, the Russian is not the only driver under the French marque's wing, with Esteban Ocon serving as the F1 team's reserve driver and five other racers - among them Sirotkin's former FR3.5 teammate Oliver Rowland - entered into its junior academy.

Two Russians have competed in F1 to this date, with the country's first F1 driver - Vitaly Petrov - making his debut in the sport with Renault back in 2010.