Markelov, Al Zubair Victorious at BIC
Manama : Artem Markelov and Al Faisal Al Zubair were both victorious yesterday in their respective championships, held at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) just hours ahead of the Formula 1 2018 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
The races were a part of the last day’s programme in the Formula 1 extravaganza.
Markelov of Russian Time raced to an impressive victory in the sprint race of round one in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, while Al Zubair claimed race two in the final round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.
Markelov started from sixth following the reverse grid rule but did well at the lights to go directly into third place behind Nyck de Vries of Pertamina Prema Theodore Racing and pole-sitter Maximillan Gunther of BWT Arden.
He took over as leader on lap nine and maintained his position all the way to the chequered flag. The Russian Time star completed the 23-lap event in a total time of 42 minutes 42.161 seconds.
Markelov won ahead of Gunther by 2.1 seconds. Sergio Sette Camara of Carlin rounded out the podium placers in third 3.803s back. Teammate Lando Norris came fourth 5.043s from first, while de Vries completed the top five 10.265s off the winning pace.
Completing the points winners were Luca Ghiotto of Campos Vexatec Racing in sixth, Ralph Boschung of MP Motorsport in seventh and Nirei Fukuzumi of BWT Arden in eighth overall.
De Vries posted the race’s fastest lap of 1:47.711 on lap 11.
A total of 20 drivers representing the 10 Formula 2 teams competed in the sprint race, which wrapped up the championship’s events at Bahrain International Circuit.
The series gets back into action from April 27 to 29 as part of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
In the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, Al Zubair completed a weekend double with another pole-to-flag triumph the day after officially securing the drivers’ title with a win in race one.
It was his fourth victory of the season and first double of the campaign.
Bahrain’s Shaikh Isa bin Abdulla Al Khalifa was the overall runner-up for the second successive race. He completed the 10-lap sprint a narrow 1.604 seconds behind, while Charlie Frijns took the final podium step 2.257s behind Al Zubair.
Khalid Al Awahaiibi of Oman was fourth and Saul Hack of South Africa came fifth.
Bahrain’s other driver competing on his home track, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, was given a drive-through penalty for a jump start. He had to settle for 12th on the final classification.
To go with his win, Al Zubair also posted the race’s fastest lap of 2:05.121 on lap three.
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