Motorsport: Russian driver in the wars

Artem Markelov at Taupo before his two accidents. Photo / Bruce Jenkins

Russian driver Artem Markelov and his team must have been wondering what deity they've offended after Markelov was involved in two incidents during the third round of the Toyota Racing Series at the Taupo Motorsport Park today.

Markelov's massive rollover was the talking point of weekend so far. The incident happened after contact from Kiwi driver James Munro while they were battling for sixth.

In race one, he was second and enjoying his best race in the series so far when Brit Callum Ilott punted him off the track. He regained control of the car and re-joined the race to finish 15th.

Markelov is the first GP2 driver in the TRS championship and was teammate of New Zealand's Mitch Evans at Russian Time.

Former director of sport's programmes at Marussia Motors (also an F1 team) Svetlana Strelnikova now heads Russian Time and is in New Zealand with Markelov.

The GP2 team principal wanted to bring her young charge out here to contest the TRS to get extra seat-time before starting their own GP2 campaign in March.

"Artem has been quick this weekend and we were hoping for a podium finish," said Strelnikova. "He was racing very well before the crashes so it's unfortunate he didn't finish - these things happen in racing."

Strelnikova was in Brazil with a friend in 2000 and went to a Grand Prix and was instantly hooked. She went back to Russia, changed her work life and joined an FIA GT team.

"After GT racing, I joined the F1 team Marussia looking after young drivers. Ivan Lukashevich was in the programme and he came and raced here in 2011, the year Mitch [Evans] raced GP3."

Evans raced for Russian Time in 2014 and, after a stuttering start to the season, came home with a hiss and a roar to finish fourth in the championship.

"Mitch is an experienced guy having won GP3 and last year we decided to sign him," Strelnikova said. "He was a very good partner for Artem. We are close to doing a deal with Mitch for this year but the contracts have not been signed yet, but I think Mitch will be with us."

Mr Consistency, Canadian Lance Stroll, still leads the TRS championship after a third and fourth today.

It's something he's done from the very first race and, other than a DNF at Hampton Downs, he has not finished outside the top five in 12 races. He's so far notched up three wins and three other podium finishes.

"I'm just trying to be consistent and, even if it's not a win, the points are important," said Stroll. "I'm happy with today's results and will look forward to qualifying better.

"As we saw, anything can happen and I'll just do the best I can no matter where I start."