Arden Motorsport are pleased to confirm Belgian rising star Ugo de Wilde will complete the team’s Formula Renault Eurocup line up for the 2020 season.
The 17-year old will switch to the Banbury-based team for his second season in Europe’s most-competitive junior single-seater category, having finished seventh overall in 2019, including victory at the season-opener in Monza.
Prior to that, de Wilde finished the 2018 French Formula 4 season as vice-champion with four victories and a further three podiums and pole positions apiece and finished third in the F4 SEA Championship the year before with five wins and eight podiums.
He will join new team mates Reshad de Gerus and Jackson Walls as Arden look to put together a title challenge in 2020.
This year, the Formula Renault Eurocup will continue to visit a host of Europe’s most-renowned and challenging venues, including Monza, Silverstone, Nurburgring, Barcelona and a support slot at the world-famous Monaco Grand Prix.
Monza, Italy, hosts the season-opener on 18-19 April, 2020.
Garry Horner, Arden Motorsport Team Principal said:
"On behalf of everybody at Arden Motorsport, I'm delighted to welcome Ugo to our team for the 2020 Formula Renault Eurocup season.
"He put in some impressive performances during his rookie season in the championship last year, and I'm confident that this partnership will build on those solid foundations in the year ahead.
"We know Ugo will work well alongside his new team mates Reshad and Jackson, and the entire team is looking forward with optimism to the start of the new season at Monza in April."
Ben Salter, Arden Formula Renault Team Manager said:
“Everybody at Arden Motorsport is delighted to welcome Ugo to our Formula Renault team for the 2020 season.
“He’s already proven his ability to fight for race victories and podium finishes at this level and we’re confident that, together as a team, we’re all set for a positive season ahead.
“Testing has gone well throughout the winter and I’m really pleased with the progress the entire team is making ahead of the season opener in Monza in April.”
Ugo de Wilde said:
“I’m very excited to be confirmed as an Arden Motorsport driver for the 2020 Formula Renault Eurocup season.
“We had several options to choose from, but Arden represented the best package and their enthusiasm for me to join the team was very encouraging.
“They have such a fantastic reputation and plenty of experience. They’ve provided a launch pad for so many young drivers over the years – including fifteen into Formula 1 – and my ambition is to be achieving podium finishes for them.
“I’ve not yet driven the team’s new car, so I’ll wait until our first tests in Valencia and Barcelona before gauging where we are compared to the competition. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself, but it goes without saying that I’m aiming to put a smile on the face of everyone who is supporting me!
“I’ve been working hard on my fitness over the last few months and I’m feeling stronger than ever. I can’t wait for the new season to begin!”