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P4 for Artem in Monaco

05/26/2018

P4 for Artem in Monaco

Artem Markelov followed up his Monte Carlo feature race win with a fighting fourth place in Saturday’s reverse grid sprint race. Japanese team mate Tadasuke Makino continued his unfortunate first visit to Monaco, stalling on the grid and being hit by former Russian Time driver Luca Ghiotto.

Artem did not seem to be familiar with the idea that overtaking is impossible around Monaco. Starting eighth, he was fifth by the end of lap two and took fourth when he dived down the inside of Arjun Marni at Rascasse just after half distance. He then set about Louis Deletraz, trying both the inside and outside at the first corner and then even on the flat-out ascent up the hill into Casino Square. Ultimately though, two late-race Safety Cars spoiled his challenge and he had to be satisfied with fourth as the 30-lap race finished behind the offficial Mercedes. It was won by Antonio Fuoco ahead of Lando Norris.

Artem Markelov: «I was pleased with the move on Maini and I tried everything to get past Deletraz and score another podium. We survived a brush at the Antony Noghes corner and then I was very close to getting him up the hill. I might have done it, but incidents involving Albon/Nissany and then Ferrucci/Fukuzumi meant we finished under Safety Car. Overall, a great weekend and I want to thank the team for everyone’s efforts.”

Tadasuke Makino: «I was really looking forward to racing in Monaco and I had no luck at all this weekend. The impact with Luca felt very big!”

Svetlana Strelnikova (Team principal): «After qualifying so well on his first visit to Monaco, it was frustrating for Tadasuke to get so little actual racing. Artem drove superbly on all three days and coming away with 35 points is just what he needed. It puts him back joint second in the championship with 71 points, just 29 behind the series lead.  We will be looking to build on that next month when F2 visits Paul Ricard for the first time.”








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