Renault confirms first official F1 test for Markelov

Artem Markelov has been handed his first official Formula 1 test with Renault at next week’s in-season test at the Hungaroring.

The Russian driver, who is currently fighting for the Formula 2 title with Russian Time, joined the Renault ranks at the start of 2018 as a development driver. Markelov recently tested the 2016-specificiaton Renault F1 car at Paul Ricard but the Hungary test will mark his debut in a latest F1 car.

Renault confirmed its F1 test line-up on Tuesday with full-time driver Nico Hulkenberg, fresh from his best result for the team with fifth place at the German Grand Prix, on testing duties for the first day before handing over to Markelov for the second day.

Nine of the 10 F1 teams are expected to take part in the test, with Haas hitting the headlines after confirming it would skip the Hungary test, following its recent extensive programme working with Pirelli on its 2019 tyres.

Renault’s testing picks comes without surprises having named Carlos Sainz Jr and development driver Jack Aitken for the first in-season test in Spain last May.

Force India has already announced its testing line-up of reserve driver Nicolas Latifi (day one) and development driver Nikita Mazepin (day two).

The second in-season F1 test takes place at the Hungaroring on July 31 and August 1 before the two-week summer shut down.