Photo: Joe Portlock / LAT Images / FIA F2 Championship
Artem Markelov will race for Arden in the final two rounds of the Formula 2 season as the team returns to a two-car line-up following Anthoine Hubert’s fatal accident at Spa.
Having fielded just one car for Tatiana Calderon at Monza, Arden has brought in series veteran Markelov as her team-mate for Sochi and Yas Marina.
Markelov raced in GP2 and F2 for five seasons with Russian Time before moving this year to Super Formula, where he has not scored a point in five races.
His second F2 outing of the season on home ground this weekend – he already raced for MP Motorsport in Monaco – means he will not take part in the clashing Super Formula round at Okayama.
“Following on from recent tragic events and our return to Sochi as a two-car team, we are proud and humbled to have Artem join us for the remaining races of the season,” said Arden’s team manager Kenny Kirwan.
“Artem is a proven race winner in this category and we very much relish the opportunity to work together and to continue where we left off with Anthoine, who we miss very dearly.”
Markelov will race with the number 22 for Arden, with Hubert’s number 19 having been retired for the remainder of the season.
“First of all, I want to give my best to the family of Anthoine,” Markelov said.
“This guy was not only a good driver, he was a great man who was happy all the time and always gave us a smile. He showed everyone his talent.
“Thanks to the team for trusting me in this situation and I’m going do my best for them. We are going to drive together in memory of Anthoine.
“I’m really happy I’ll be driving for BWT Arden for the rest of the championship.
“It’s a really nice opportunity to drive at my home grand prix again. I hope for a strong result and I’ll work hard to achieve it.”
The F2 field is set to return to full strength at Sochi after the Sauber Junior Team by Charouz and Trident squads also lined up with only one car at Monza following the Spa crash.
Matevos Isaakyan has joined the Sauber Junior outfit in place of Juan Manuel Correa, who is in intensive care after sustaining injuries in the crash with Hubert.
Ralph Boschung will return to his seat at Trident after sitting out Monza because team-mate Giuliano Alesi’s car was impounded as part of the investigation by Belgian authorities.