Precision 1-2 in New Zealand Grand Prix, Markelov Has Matchball

Qualifying:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Q1	Q2	Diff.
1	57	Dean Stoneman		1:11.871	1:11.684
2	6	Artem Markelov		1:11.935	1:11.853	+0.169
3	94	Pascal Wehrlein		1:11.894	1:11.985	+0.210
4	18	Sebastian Vettel		1:12.201	1:11.896	+0.212
5	47	Lando Norris		1:11.933	1:12.106	+0.249
6	7	Charles Leclerc		1:12.402	1:12.146	+0.462
7	64	Dave Cassidy		1:12.576	1:12.150	+0.466
8	39	Sho Tsuboi		1:12.371	1:12.236	+0.552
9	33	Max Verstappen		1:13.211	1:12.362	+0.678
10	31	Esteban Ocon		1:12.448	1:12.367	+0.683
11	26	Robert Shwartzman		1:12.767	1:12.576	+0.892
12	23	Alexander Albon		1:12.696	1:12.657	+0.973
13	77	Valtteri Bottas		1:12.662	1:13.272	+0.978
14	29	Roger Ibe		1:13.004	1:12.998	+1.314
15	70	Sérgio Sette Câmara		1:13.280	1:13.048	+1.364
16	37	Kazuki Nakajima		1:13.429	1:14.340	+1.745
17	13	Pastor Maldonado		1:13.910	1:13.725	+2.041
18	23	Jules Bianchi		1:14.965	1:14.314	+2.630
19	84	Jack Aitken		1:14.627	1:14.446	+2.762
20	73	Daniel Melrose		1:14.617	1:14.531	+2.847
21	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		1:14.865	1:14.531	+2.898
22	4	Robin Frijns		1:14.828	1:15.386	+3.144
23	99	Antonio Giovinazzi		1:14.960	1:14.881	+3.197
24	98	Bradley Dagnall		1:15.603	1:15.515	+3.831

Report:

The New Zealand International Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious Grand Prix events in the world. Racing legends have gone to the Land of the Long White Cloud for decades now and thus it was about time it got an official place in the F1 world championship.

Derivating from its usual slot early in the season, the Grand Prix could play a key role in both championships. With a decent result, Markelov could bring himself into a situation where he could leave the Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park with a matchball in hands.

He dutifully did so, even though he was unable to keep the Precisions behind him. That result is great for the excitement in the team battle, BR Mansell is losing grip, especially since they sacrificed Sho Tsuboi’s race to try to throw the Caterhams off Markelov’s tail.

The lower range of the points saw tough fighting for spots, sometimes even going beyond the limit. P6-P10 being split up between five different teams spoke volumes to the competitiveness of the midfield, especially given as there were only three retirements.

Race:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Time/Retired	Points
1	57	Dean Stoneman		66:03.529	15
2	94	Pascal Wehrlein		+12.382	12
3	6	Artem Markelov		+20.135	10
4	47	Lando Norris		+38.573	8
5	18	Sebastian Vettel		+38.962	6
6	33	Max Verstappen		+44.441	5
7	64	Dave Cassidy		+47.874	4
8	14	Esteban Ocon		+50.960	3
9	26	Robert Shwartzman		+71.787	2
10	39	Sho Tsuboi		1 Lap	1
11	70	Sérgio Sette Câmara		1 Lap
12	29	Roger Ibe		1 Lap
13	13	Pastor Maldonado		1 Lap
14	23	Jules Bianchi		1 Lap
15	23	Alexander Albon		2 Laps
16	37	Kazuki Nakajima		2 Laps
17	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		2 Laps
18	73	Daniel Melrose		2 Laps
19	19	Robin Frijns		2 Laps
20	98	Bradley Dagnall		2 Laps
21	85	Jack Aitken		3 Laps
DNF	77	Valtteri Bottas		Accident
DNF	99	Antonio Giovinazzi		Suspension
DNF	7	Charles Leclerc		Collision

Fastest Lap:

Dean Stoneman – 1:13.207

Infinite Improbability Drive Of The Race:

Loonmotor-Judd – Frijns in particular looked very competitive and when he suffered a puncture, Loonmotor had the best pitstop of the year.

Reject Of The Race:

Alexander Albon – barely misses race ban after careless return to track.