Comtec forced to withdraw from Spa Formula Renault 3.5 event
Comtec Racing has stated its intention to return to Formula Renault 3.5 at the earliest opportunity, after being forced to withdraw from this weekend's event at Spa-Francorchamps
The Norfolk-based team received the news late on Tuesday afternoon that Nikolay Martsenko, its only driver for the season, had lost his funding for the remainder of the season.
Martsenko's difficulties ends Comtec's run of 76 consecutive World Series by Renault starts.
"It is such a shame, and totally unexpected," said team manager Phil Blow.
"I was discussing Spa with Nikolay only the day before we received the news and he was extremely focused on the weekend, having had to miss Monaco due to the bereavement of a personal friend."
Russian Martsenko has enjoyed a competitive start to his season, lying sixth in the drivers' standings and taking a highest finish of second at Motorland in Aragon.
Blow added: "Nikolay has exceeded expectations, with easily the most competitive start to a campaign he has ever had.
"It was reasonable to expect a good set of results at Spa, it being a circuit that would certainly suit our car philosophy.
"We will, however, do what is required to get back into the championship at the earliest opportunity and complete the rest of the season with our friends and competitors in FR3.5."
Follow the first Spa-Francorchamps FR3.5 race as it happens on AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live from 14:15pm UK time on Saturday May 31st
Autosport 70: Why Portimao is the right home for the Portuguese GP
Autosport 70: Why Portimao is the right home for the Portuguese GP Autosport 70: Why Portimao is the right home for the Portuguese GP
FV8 3.5 race winner Orudzhev switches to title-winning AVF team
FV8 3.5 race winner Orudzhev switches to title-winning AVF team FV8 3.5 race winner Orudzhev switches to title-winning AVF team
How the post-Renault 3.5 series is shaping up
How the post-Renault 3.5 series is shaping up How the post-Renault 3.5 series is shaping up
Comtec to make FV8 3.5 return with British F3 racer Randle
Comtec to make FV8 3.5 return with British F3 racer Randle Comtec to make FV8 3.5 return with British F3 racer Randle
Comtec to make Formula Renault 3.5 return at Red Bull Ring
Comtec to make Formula Renault 3.5 return at Red Bull Ring Comtec to make Formula Renault 3.5 return at Red Bull Ring
Comtec to miss Formula Renault 3.5 opener despite Facu Regalia bid
Comtec to miss Formula Renault 3.5 opener despite Facu Regalia bid Comtec to miss Formula Renault 3.5 opener despite Facu Regalia bid
Gasly: Hamilton would have gone straight if he didn’t hit me in F1 Abu Dhabi GP
Gasly: Hamilton would have gone straight if he didn’t hit me in F1 Abu Dhabi GP Gasly: Hamilton would have gone straight if he didn’t hit me in F1 Abu Dhabi GP
Inside Maserati’s long-awaited MC12 successor
Inside Maserati’s long-awaited MC12 successor Inside Maserati’s long-awaited MC12 successor
Norris: McLaren on right track for F1 2024 challenge
Norris: McLaren on right track for F1 2024 challenge Norris: McLaren on right track for F1 2024 challenge
Mir: Valencia first time Honda 'brought something that worked' to MotoGP test
Mir: Valencia first time Honda 'brought something that worked' to MotoGP test Mir: Valencia first time Honda 'brought something that worked' to MotoGP test
How the post-Renault 3.5 series is shaping up
How the post-Renault 3.5 series is shaping up How the post-Renault 3.5 series is shaping up
The all-time FR3.5 top 10
The all-time FR3.5 top 10 The all-time FR3.5 top 10
The top 10 FR3.5 drivers of 2015
The top 10 FR3.5 drivers of 2015 The top 10 FR3.5 drivers of 2015
Renault's ladder to Formula 1
Renault's ladder to Formula 1 Renault's ladder to Formula 1
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.