Artem Markelov raced to a fantastic victory in the season-opening feature race of the FIA Formula 2 championship, held today as part of the weekend’s events at the 2017 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Russian Time ace completed the hotly contested 32-lap race in 58 minutes 18.977 seconds to kick off the series’ new campaign in style.
Starting from third on the grid behind Charles Leclerc of Prema Racing and Norman Nato of Pertamina Arden, Markelov did well to maintain his position for much of the race. He then moved up to second on lap 25 at the expense of pole-sitter Leclerc, who had earlier given up the lead to Nato.
Markelov was then able to capture the lead on the race’s penultimate lap, before taking the chequered flag a comfortable 7.891 seconds ahead of Nato.
Leclerc took the final podium step after finishing 13.780s behind in third.
Jordan King was fourth, Oliver Rowland fifth and Alexander Albon rounded out the top six.
The weekend’s 23-lap Sprint Race is scheduled for 2.15pm on Sunday.

Source: BNA