Hungary F2: Rowland wins F2 feature race after Markelov drama

When Rowland jinked left to defend on the pitstraight with three laps to go, Markelov ended up on the grass, lost control and crashed backwards into the barrier at Turn 1, gingerly climbing from the wreckage after a short delay.

The race was neutralised after the incident and Rowland led his team-mate Nicolas Latifi across the line in a DAMS one-two.

Nyck de Vries completed the podium for Rapax as championship leader Charles Leclerc finished fourth after starting towards the rear of the grid.

At the start, polesitter Rowland lost the lead off the line to Markelov, who cemented first place down the inside of Turn 1.

Rowland tried to get the position back immediately but had to drop back as the pair edged clear of Jordan King and Latifi.

Leclerc, who started last after being stripped of pole yesterday for running an illegal brass shim in his differential, fought his way up to 11th by the end of a first lap charge from 19th on the grid.

The Ferrari junior driver started on the medium Pirelli tyres in a contra-strategy to Markelov and Rowland's choice to start on the softs.

Latifi and de Vries pushed King down to fifth on lap eight of 36 - before Rowland came in for medium tyres.

One tour later, on lap 11, Markelov came in but could not prevent DAMS driver Rowland getting by.

Leclerc made it to the front of the race just before half distance after an entertaining fight with ART Grand Prix's Alexander Albon, who also started on the medium rubber, and the pair even touched briefly at Turn 2 in the scrap.

Rowland and Markelov used their fresh rubber to close the gap on the leaders, which also included Sergio Sette Camara and Gustav Malja.

Rowland was able to clear them without issue and when Markelov could not, the Briton pulled out a sizeable lead of 6.2s.

Leclerc made his switch to the softs on lap 21, emerging back in a net 11th place but now with a pace advantage.

He set about chasing down the top 10 runners and gained two spots without trouble when Sergio Canamasas dived down the inside of Robert Visoiu at Turn 1, touched the kerb and slid into the Campos Racing driver, putting both out on the spot.

That brought out the safety car, which cut Rowland's lead to nothing over Markelov and Latifi to set up the late dice in which Markelov went out and the race finished behind the safety car.

Latifi survived an investigation into a late move on Sette Camara on lap 21 to take second.

Leclerc made it up to fourth behind de Vries, just before the safety car was deployed and came home ahead of Nobuharu Matsushita, Luca Ghiotto, Norman Nato and Albon.

Sean Gelael and Santino Ferrucci completed the top 10.

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