Evans, Markelov unchanged at Russian Time

Former GP2 championship-winning team Russian Time will field an unchanged line-up in the 2015 series, with race-winning Kiwi Mitch Evans one again partnered by talented Russian Artem Markelov.

Twenty-year-old Evans scored back-to-back feature race wins at Silverstone and Hockenheim en route to finishing fourth in the 2014 series behind Lotus F1 third driver Jolyon Palmer, McLaren reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne and new Sauber F1 signing Felipe Nasr.

Markelov, runner-up in the German F3 championship in 2013, made the step up to GP2 at 19 and scored points in the feature race at Spa in his debut season. In the winter he then competed in the Toyota Racing Series, New Zealand’s premier open wheel category, and enjoyed two second-place finishes.

Mitch Evans: “I’m greatly looking forward to another GP2 season with Russian Time in what looks like being another very competitive year. We proved we had race-winning capability in 2014 and the goal has to be to build on that, put together a consistent programme and hopefully challenge for the championship.”

Artem Markelov: “I’m happy to be able to announce a second season of GP2 with Russian Time in an unchanged driver line-up. It was a good environment in which to learn and Mitch is obviously a strong yardstick for me. Looking back at 2014, the series was a sizeable jump from F3 and my qualifying pace and getting the best out of the tyres in that situation is the area I will be concentrating on.”

Svetlana Strelnikova, team principal: "I’m pleased that we will have continuity for 2015 with both drivers. It was a good team environment last year and Mitch and Artem worked well together. Mitch’s six podiums proved that he belongs at the top level and I would be delighted if he can take the final step and challenge for the championship. Artem’s race commitment was also a highlight of 2014 and will stand him in good stead if, as he says, he focuses on his qualifying. I’m looking forward to a great year.”