Markelov wins, Russell takes F2 points lead from Norris

Russian Time’s Artem Markelov led every lap as he took commanding sprint race victory in Austria, while George Russell moved into the Formula 2 championship lead with a brilliant drive.

The Renault Formula 1 development driver controlled proceedings from start to finish as he built an unassailable lead over the charging ART of Russell and crossed the line over five seconds clear, to follow up on his remarkable last lap recovery to the points on Saturday. 

Carlin’s Sergio Sette Camara completed the podium in third place with his fourth rostrum appearance of 2018, having taken advantage of Tadasuke Makino’s late tyre struggles to snatch the position at Turn 3 in the closing stages. 

As Markelov held the lead at the new rolling start procedure, a stunning start from Russell saw him scythe through the field from eighth on the grid to third in just four laps - a surge that began with an immediate dive down the inside of title rival Lando Norris at Turn 1. 

The Briton, who converted pole position into victory for the second time in a week to score his fourth win of the season in the feature race, then broke up a Russian Time 1-2 as he swept around the outside of Makino to move into second on the run to Turn 4 on Lap 7. 

Russell managed to get within three seconds of race leader Markelov but the Russian responded with a string of fastest laps to extend the gap and seal the win. 

Outside of the top three, Antonio Fuoco pipped Alexander Albon for fourth place, while Makino ultimately finished in sixth after tyre wear came into play during the second half of the race. 

Haas F1 development driver Santino Ferrucci added to his 10th place finish from the feature race with a strong drive to seventh, while DAMS driver Nicholas Latifi found a way past Arden’s Nirei Fukuzimi in the closing laps to secure the final point in eighth. 

Norris struggled to make the same progress as Russell in the opening laps and ran in a personal best position of sixth, before dramatically dropping down the order and outside of the points in the final few laps as he struggled with tyres.

The result means Norris has relinquished the championship lead he has held since taking pole and the win in the Bahrian opener for the first time this year, with Russell assuming a 10-point lead heading into the pair’s home event at Silverstone next weekend. 

Meanwhile, Markelov has leapfrogged Albon into third place in the standings with his third win of 2018 to sit 40 points behind Russell. 

F2 Austria Sprint Race Results