Monaco – F2 – Race 1: Opportunist Markelov triumphs after Albon-de Vries collision!
Already the winner on Friday in 2016, Artem Markelov (Russian Time) wins his second victory in the Principality. The Russian takes a race with a scenario marked by a collision between Alexander Albon (DAMS), the poleman, and Nyck de Vries (Prema), at the pit lane entry, under safety car conditions!
5 seasons in GP2/F2 and unparalleled flair in the Principality. Yes, Artem Markelov enjoys himself in Monaco! After a first victory in 2016 (under the nose of the Frenchman Norman Nato), the Russian did it again this Friday at noon. To achieve his goal, the Russian Time driver stayed on track for as long as possible. Starting third, he was in the front row during the major event of the race, which occurred on the fourteenth lap.
Loss of composure among the heavyweights of the championship
The start of the race was marked by a great battle between Albon and de Vries (Prema), within the same second for 13 laps. But a safety car changed everything. This was caused by a collision between Ralph Boschung (MP Motorsport) and Lando Norris (Carlin). The young British driver (18 years old) sent his Swiss opponent into the barrier, at the Anthony Noghes corner, the last one of the circuit.
This incident was a terrible consequence for the then-leader. Probably victim of a rush from his pit wall, Alexander Albon threw himself into the pit lane at the last moment. The Thai driver surprised De Vries who couldn’t anticipate. The two drivers thus collided, in a peculiar situation! Maximum sanction for both players, who had to retire, leaving the field open to Artem Markelov.
Albon reacted to De Vries’ decision to make a Pit stop and turned in on him. I do not want to be Race Control right now… #F2 pic.com/65gXy94IFT
— The Caution Clock ⚠️ (@CautionClock20) May 25, 2018
The Russian then stayed on track until the 35th lap, before making his mandatory pit stop. A winning gamble: the good laps on his first set of tires were enough to fend off the threat from Sean Gelael, who was virtually leading. The Toro Rosso reserve driver had pitted before the safety car intervention.
.@ArtemMarkelov6 has come out of the Pits in front of Gelael. #F2 pic.twitter.com/7cCwdXXmK3
— The Caution Clock ⚠️ (@CautionClock20) May 25, 2018
In the end, Artem Markelov therefore pocketed the seventh victory of his F2/GP2 career, the second in the streets of Monaco. He is ahead of Gelael and Roberto Merhi, a former F1 driver for Manor (13 races in 2015). Also worth noting is the fine performance of Louis Delétraz, who went from fourteenth on the grid to fourth at the finish. The young Swiss driver had welcomed us into his team’s motorhome ahead of this race.
On the side of the title contenders, Lando Norris finally managed to limit the damage. After his mishap, McLaren’s hope still managed to take sixth place. Less success for George Russell. Third in the championship before the start, the British driver from the ART Grand Prix team ended his race in the barriers at the Rascasse corner.
.@GeorgeRussell63 has hit the wall at Rascasse and is out of the race. #F2 pic.twitter.com/vDSGD0b3zA
— The Caution Clock ⚠️ (@CautionClock20) 25 mai 2018
Double penalty, he will also be relegated to the back of the grid for the race 2, which will start at 5:20 pm this Saturday.
Here is the final ranking of this main race:
#F2 Round 4 Feature Race complete results pic.twitter.com/yDfwcOqS31
— FIA Formula 2 (@FIA_F2) May 25, 2018
Eighth in race 1, Antonio Fuoco (Charouz Racing System) will start on pole position for the sprint race, ahead of Jack Aitken (ART Grand Prix) and Lando Norris (Carlin).
