Markelov Dominates Exciting Argentine Grand Prix

Qualifying:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Q1	Q2	Diff.
1	6	Artem Markelov		1:13.282	1:13.025
2	64	Dave Cassidy		1:13.614	1:13.426	+0.401
3	26	Robert Shwartzman		1:13.681	1:13.500	+0.475
4	18	Sebastian Vettel		1:13.724	1:13.543	+0.642
5	47	Lando Norris		1:13.588	1:13.700	+0.763
6	29	Roger Ibe		1:13.697	1:13.684	+0.859
7	23	Alexander Albon		1:13.806	1:13.705	+0.880
8	33	Max Verstappen		1:13.852	1:26.350	+0.948
9	31	Esteban Ocon		1:13.975	1:26.775	+0.950
10	39	Sho Tsuboi		1:13.920	1:13.838	+1.013
11	7	Charles Leclerc		1:13.895	1:14.186	+1.070
12	57	Dean Stoneman		1:14.315	1:13.957	+1.132
13	94	Pascal Wehrlein		1:14.005</b<	1:14.157	+1.180
14	70	Sérgio Sette Câmara		1:14.751	1:14.242	+1.417
15	77	Valtteri Bottas		1:14.633	1:14.550	+1.525
16	13	Pastor Maldonado		1:14.740	1:15.024	+1.715
17	84	Jack Aitken		1:15.223	1:14.990	+1.965
18	37	Kazuki Nakajima		1:15.379	1:15.094	+2.069
19	73	Daniel Melrose		1:15.778	1:15.597	+2.572
20	23	Jules Bianchi		1:15.774	1:15.641	+2.616
21	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		1:16.349	1:16.002	+2.977
22	4	Robin Frijns		1:16.211	1:16.285	+3.186
23	99	Antonio Giovinazzi		1:16.514	1:16.317	+3.292
24	98	Bradley Dagnall		1:16.711	1:16.494	+3.469

Report:

Formula One’s sole appearance in South America came at the Autódromo Roberto José Mouras which saw the closest Formula One finish last season and whilst that did not happen, the event still was very exciting.

Artem Markelov dominated both qualifying sessions and ran away with the victory, taking his second career win and the first for a Toyota PU customer. With Sho Tsuboi fighting his way up to second from tenth on the grid, it was BR Mansell’s first 1-2.

That journey up the order was hard, though. Esteban Ocon, Dean Stoneman and Roger Ibe all were major podium contenders. Ibe in particular thrilled fans with a late charge after a relatively late tyre stop.

Caterham struggled last year and it went no better this time, their drivers threw out proper rules of engagement and fought each other to the bone. Charles Leclerc was another driver who went over the line, earning himself Ferrari’s ire by crashing into Albon.

Race:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Time/Retired	Points
1	6	Artem Markelov		58:16.125	15
2	39	Sho Tsuboi		+35.512	12
3	14	Esteban Ocon		+38.235	10
4	57	Dean Stoneman		+40.256	8
5	29	Roger Ibe		+41.358	6
6	47	Lando Norris		+44.627	5
7	18	Sebastian Vettel		+44.641	4
8	94	Pascal Wehrlein		+48.278	3
9	70	Sérgio Sette Câmara		+52.436	2
10	26	Robert Shwartzman		+65.263	1
11	7	Charles Leclerc		+100.073*	0
12	85	Jack Aitken		1 Lap	0
13	23	Jules Bianchi		1 Lap	0
14	99	Antonio Giovinazzi		1 Lap	0
15	98	Bradley Dagnall		2 Laps	0
DNF	37	Kazuki Nakajima		Motor	0
DNF	64	Dave Cassidy		Transmission	0
DNF	19	Robin Frijns		Accident	0
DNF	73	Daniel Melrose		Accident	0
DNF	13	Pastor Maldonado		Suspension	0
DNF	33	Max Verstappen		Motor	0
DNF	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		Motor	0
DNF	77	Valtteri Bottas		Accident	0
DNF	23	Alexander Albon		Collision	0

* 30-second penalty for causing an avoidable accident

Fastest Lap:

Robert Shwartzman – 1:17.593

Infinite Improbability Drive Of The Race:

Dean Stoneman – P4 in a Precision that clearly was not strong enough to get it is amazing.

Reject Of The Race:

Charles Leclerc – trying a stupid move earns you a stupid result, it is a shame his stupidity had to hurt Ferrari.