Fewtrell: Recent promotions show F1 not just a ‘crazy dream’

Max Fewtrell believes the surge of young drivers being promoted to Formula 1 shows him that reaching the highest tier of single-seater racing is not just “some crazy dream”. 

British trio George Russell, Lando Norris and Alexander Albon have all landed seats at Williams, McLaren and Toro Rosso respectively for the upcoming 2019 season after locking out the top three positions in last year’s Formula 2 Championship. 

2018 Formula Renault Eurocup champion Fewtrell is stepping up to the rebranded, F1-supporting FIA Formula 3 Championship with reigning champions ART Grand Prix, having been retained as a member of the Renault F1 team’s young driver programme for a third successive year. 

“The young guys are obviously taking up all the seats but it’s good to open the eyes of F1 fans who have been used to the same grid now that the young generation are going through,” said Fewtrell. 

“Hopefully it will become more and more normal each year for us young guys to jump onto the grid. 

“It shows me that it is possible and they are all my friends as well. I know most of them and it just puts that light at the end of the tunnel, it’s not just some crazy dream that won’t happen – if you put the work in then it will.”

Fewtrell admitted that the prospect of earning a future drive with Renault is keeping him motivated and he is hopeful of getting some seat time in F1 machinery over the coming year. 

The 19-year-old Briton said the French manufacturer has already laid out its expectations for him in FIA F3, though he is aware targets may shift due to the unpredictable nature of a new series. 

“They always want me to go in and win,” Fewtrell replied when asked by what aims Renault had set for him. 

“That’s the main objective but if we are on the back foot and we need to set some more realistic targets, then I’m sure we can adapt to that and make do.

“It’s definitely unpredictable at the moment. We have no idea how the cars are going to be. My focus at the moment is just on the first test and to get through that. 

“Then after the six days we can kind of judge where we are pace-wise. We need to get through the first weekend and then we can really set some realistic goals and work towards what we want to be achieving.”

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