F2 title contender Markelov gets new chassis and engine in Austria
Title contender Artem Markelov has a new chassis and engine for the Red Bull Ring Formula 2 feature race, after being launched airborne in practice and qualifying
The Renault Formula 1 junior - third in the championship - ran wide twice at the fast Turn 9 at the end of the lap on Friday, once in practice and once in qualifying, and both times the front wheels of his F2 2018 car were launched into the air and he landed heavily, damaging the chassis.
He also complained the throttle response was not normal, leading to the engine change.
Markelov was eighth in practice and 18th in qualifying, but now has new parts for the feature race, which will begin with a rolling start after the run of clutch issues.
"We damaged the car in free practice yesterday and that's cost us in qualifying," said Markelov, who believes the kerbs he hit at Turn 9 are "dangerous".
"Hopefully this car will be more like the last one.
"There are bananas on the outside, little kerbs, when the car touches the kerbs the car is flying.
"I think it is dangerous too.
"OK, the drivers are trying to go quicker there, but making the rules if someone goes wide you could just take away their lap and that would be easier and healthier for the drivers."
Markelov added that he had to use creams in an attempt to heal his knee, which was hurting after the crashes.
"When I touched the kerb first time [after landing] I felt pain in my back and knee," he told Autosport.
"When I was flying there the second time, my knee was really on the limit.
"I have to put cream on it and it's really painful.
"I think it's a bit dangerous."
Russian Time team principal Svetlana Strelnikova added: "We have a new chassis and new engine, the gearbox is the only thing that's left.
"There was a problem with the engine, on the straights he was slowest on the track.
"There was something not working.
"Because he was flying it was really hard on the chassis so we had to change that."
The real reason Formula 2 has switched to rolling starts
Red Bull Ring F2: George Russell wins and gains on Lando Norris
What racing in Australia means for the future of F1's junior series
The announcement that FIA Formula 2 and 3 would race alongside the Australian Grand Prix from 2023 came as a surprise, not only to fans but to the series’ teams too. But with Formula 1’s boom in popularity bringing more fans to the championships, team principals are relishing the opportunity
The other Doohan charting his way to motorsport success
Heading into FIA Formula 2 this season, there was a lot of pressure on Jack Doohan. The 2021 F3 runner-up joined a new team for his next challenge, as well as signing up to the Alpine Academy. He told Autosport how he’s tackling the step up - with some help from his motorcycle legend father
The Brazilian F2 driver hoping to return his country to motorsport's top tier
With a chaotic but “pretty much perfect” FIA Formula 2 weekend in Saudi Arabia behind him, Felipe Drugovich now leads the drivers’ standings in his third crack at the series. The Brazilian driver explains how he's improved amid some difficult years, and shares his dreams of ending his nation's absence from the F1 grid
The Red Bull junior aiming to emulate Piastri in F2
Norwegian talent Dennis Hauger has a tough act to follow in Oscar Piastri’s footsteps on his graduation to F2 as the reigning F3 champion with Prema. Here’s what he makes of the task ahead of him
The other Mercedes F1 young gun facing a big 2022
With a disappointing 2021 season behind him, Frederik Vesti makes the move up to FIA Formula 2 with a reinvigorated sense of determination. Could this finally be the breakthrough year for the talented Mercedes junior?
Ranking the 10 best drivers of an F1 junior series stalwart
DAMS has been one of the most prolific teams below Formula 1 since its foundation in 1989, launching 32 drivers into grand prix racing. Following the team's sale to ex-F1 racer Charles Pic, formally closing the book on the ownership of the Driot family, Autosport picks out its 10 best drivers during their spell with the team
How an F2 enigma hopes ‘coming home’ can reopen doors to F1
After a disappointing 2021, Marcus Armstrong is returning to FIA Formula 2 for another shot at the title in 2022 with Hitech – this time without the backing of Ferrari. This year, he says, he’s ready to give it his all in a last-shot bid to reach Formula 1
The hardships that haven’t dented an F2 rookie’s American F1 dream
Faced with no options for 2021, Logan Sargeant’s Formula 1 dreams looked set to crumble. But a last-minute Formula 3 seat and a strong season secured him an F1 junior berth and a Formula 2 drive for 2022. He told Autosport how his transformative season has affected both his personality and his future