Artem Markelov

Artem Valeryevich Markelov (born 10th September, 1994 in Moscow) is a Russian Formula One driver racing for Aeroflot BR Mansell Engineering.

Formula One

2018-: Mansell

Markelov made his Formula One debut with Aeroflot Mansell Engineering in 2018, driving alongside Bradley Dagnall. Markelov outperformed his British teammate and finished the season in 20th place - his best result being a seventh place in the Russian Grand Prix. This result was very well received in his home country and saw the team and driver receive a groundswell of support from both the Russian public and industry.

Markelov remained with the team in 2019 - this time with fellow Russian driver Sergey Sirotkin as his teammate. Markelov was once again better than his teammate, finishing in eighteenth place with a best finish of sixth in the Finnish Grand Prix.

Mansell had re-registered itself as a Russian team ahead of the 2020 season and for the first time their car was a real contender for podiums and wins. Markelov took his maiden podium in Argentina with a third place - which he'd follow up three races later with a maiden win in the Turkish Grand Prix. This would be his only win of the season however he'd get one more third place finish in Finland on his way to eighth overall.

The Mansell team switched to Toyota power units from Mercedes-Benz ahead of 2021, bringing with it Toyota young driver Sho Tsuboi to replace the under-performing Sirotkin alongside Markelov. Markelov took a second career win in Argentina from pole, and two further wins in Cyprus and Germany - giving him an unexpected championship lead.