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Baku Sprint Race: P5 for Artem, P11 for Lello

06/19/2016

Baku Sprint Race: P5 for Artem, P11 for Lello

Artem Markelov has taken a five point lead in the GP2 championship after a battling fifth place from 15th on the grid in a dramatic reverse grid race around the challenging new Baku City Circuit.

Markelov achieved his result despite early race contact with Nabil Jeffri which damaged his front wing, then a trip down the Turn 1 escape road at the restart following one of three safety car interventions. In the closing laps he passed Latifi, Pic and Jeffri to claim his fifth place.

Team mate Raffaele Marciello, third in Saturday's feature race, briefly had his nose in front after a lap 12 restart before also going down the escape road after contact with Nobuharu Matsushita and finishing 11th.

Prema's Antonio Giovinazzi scored a Baku double, ahead of Pierre Gasly.

Artem Markelov: I've got mixed feelings. It could have been even better without the trip down the escape road but those restarts were manic. On the plus side, I managed to pass cars cleanly and score good points which, after yesterday's problems, I have to be happy with.

Raffaele Marciello: I'm frustrated not to score strong points today. The restarts were a mess again and with the contact I was surprised when Matushita seemed to brake early. The stewards, though, deemed it a racing incident. I will be looking to bounce back in Austria.

Svetlana Strelnikova (Team principal): Clearly, if you want excitement, come to Baku! We had a fine podium from Raffaele yesterday and a typically gutsy drive from Artem today! We leave leading both championships and looking forward to Austria.



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