GP2: Rowland gets Renault-backed deal

Formula Renault 3.5 champion Oliver Rowland has become part of the new Renault Sport Academy development program and will race for MP Motorsport in GP2 this season. The 23-year-old Racing Steps Foundation protege made two GP2 appearances with MP Motorsport alongside his dominant FR3.5 campaign last year, qualifying on the front row at Spa.

"Having worked and lived with the MP Motorsport guys in the Netherlands throughout my second year in [FRenault] Eurocup, we developed a really strong relationship which I hope we can capitalize on in GP2 this year," said Rowland. "We quickly re-established that productive partnership with a half decent debut at Silverstone last July. "So I hope we can start where we left off and make a strong impression in the paddock in 2016."

Rowland returned to GP2 with Status for the final two rounds after sealing the FR3.5 title, and had also been linked to ART and Prema during the winter. He said last year that getting an F1 team affiliation was critical to his GP2 decision, and was delighted to be taken under Renault's wing.

"Many drivers have benefited hugely from Renault's previous academies and I intend to take this opportunity with both hands," he said.

MP only has one GP2 win to its name so far, in the Sochi sprint race in 2014 with Marco Sorensen, and team manager Sander Dorsman acknowledged that signing Rowland increased expectations.

"We are acutely aware that for him this is a make or break year in terms of his Formula 1 aspirations," said Dorsman. "So we will be doing everything in our power to ensure we engineer a car that will enable him to deliver."

Originally on Autosport.com