Markelov vrooms to win in F2

Manama : Artem Markelov (58 minutes 18.977 seconds) driving for RUSSIAN TIME clinched the opening FIA Formula 2 Championship race of the season yesterday, which is in support of the 2017 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.

Markelov started on the grid in seventh place and finished 7.891 seconds ahead of second placed Frenchman Norman Nato (58.26.868) driving for Pertamina Arden, with the podium completed by Charles Leclerc (+13.780) of Monaco driving for PREMA Racing, who began the race in pole position.

The race comprised 32 laps over a distance of 172.938 kms with the second one scheduled today at 2.15pm over 23 laps or a 45 minute time limit.

Fourth to six places went to Jordan King (GBR, MP Motosport, + 17.478), Oliver Rowland (GBR, DAMS, +18.144) and Alexander Albon (THA, ART Grand Prix, +19.744).

Four other drivers picked up points after finishing seventh to tenth positions, they were - Luca Ghiotto (ITA, RUSSIAN TIME, +27.056), Nobuharu Matsushita, JPN, +29.971), Antonio Fuoco (ITA, PREMA Racing, +30.950) and Nyck De Vries (NED, Rapax, +35.726, with the fastest lap recorded on the 26th being timed at one minute 45.843 seconds by Monaco’s Stefano Coletti driving for Campos Racing.

After this weekend, 10 more rounds are scheduled for Spain, Monaco, Azerbaijan, Austria, UK, Hungary, Belgium, Italy, Spain and concluding on November 25-26 at the Yas Marina Circuit for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.