Markelov open to further F2 outings in 2019

Markelov made what was billed as a one-off return to F2 last weekend, replacing MP Motorsport’s regular driver Jordan King, who was competing at the Indianapolis 500.

King is expected to return to the Dutch squad for the remainder of the season.

Markelov had ended his five-year stint in GP2/F2 at the end of 2019, departing the series in favour of a drive in Super Formula with Team LeMans.

Of the five remaining Super Formula races this year, only two clash with F2 races - the next round at Sugo, which falls on the same weekend as F2's Paul Ricard round, and the penultimate race in Okayama that coincides with the Sochi F2 weekend.

“It depends on the guys inviting me to the races,” Markelov told Motorsport.com when asked if he would return to F2. “I’ll be glad if they invite me for more races.

“They [MP Motorsport] wrote a message to my manager to see if I wanted to drive in Monaco so I [shouted] yes! I really want to!”

When asked if he thought it was important for his career to be back in the F1 support championship, he replied: “It depends on my results!

“It’s very nice, my years spent here, it feels like home already. I feel quite confident and comfortable here."

In a frenetic Monaco feature race, Markelov took sixth place from 11th on the grid, despite damaging his suspension after hitting the barrier at the exit of Turn 12 while fighting with Dorian Boccolacci in the opening laps.

He then fought Guan Yu Zhou for a podium place in the reverse-grid sprint race, but had to settle for fourth after dropping time in the run-off at the Swimming Pool exit, and then clipping the wall at Sainte-Devote on the last lap.

Markelov has yet to score a point in Super Formula, kicking off his tenure in the Japanese series with 10th at Suzuka before retiring early at Autopolis following a crash in qualifying.