Markelov to debut in F1 practice in Russia

Formula 2 driver Artem Markelov will make his debut in an F1-car later this month, as the Russian will man a Renault car at his home race in Sochi for one of the practice sessions.

Markelov currently sits in fifth in the Formula 2 championship after ending runner-up last year behind Charles Leclerc. The 23-year-old has been in F2 since 2014, competing for Russian Time.

In the last two years, Renault also had a Russian manning their car in Sochi for a practice session as current Williams driver Sergey Sirotkin drove FP1 in both years.

“This is the best early birthday present I could get,” Markelov, who turns 24 on September tenth, told RaceFans.

It won't be the first time in the Renault car for Markelov, as he already put a stint in during the two days of testing in Hungary in the days after the Grand Prix.