Renault's new works team surprised the Formula 1 world on Tuesday when they revealed the identity of their new test driver.

It was in 2013 when Sergey Sirotkin, then a teenager, was central to a so-called 'Russian rescue deal' for the struggling Sauber team that ultimately fell through.

Sirotkin is now in GP2 with the support of SMP Racing, which is linked strongly to the Russian bank SMP and also Vladimir Putin.

"I would like to thank SMP Racing for the great support given to my career, starting in Sochi, in front of my compatriots," Sirotkin, now 20, said on Tuesday.

Indeed, he has been shown the green light by the new works Renault team to drive in Kevin Magnussen's place in Friday morning practice this week ahead of the Russian Grand Prix.

Renault said in a statement that Sirotkin's drive is a "good start for the collaboration between Renault Sport and SMP Racing".

Sirotkin will also be a Renault test driver for the rest of 2016.

"The contract signed is until the end of 2016," his manager Nikolai Vetrov told Russian news agency Tass.

"Then we will look at the possibility of extending it."

Renault have yet to pick up a point in the team rankings.