Aitken and Markelov on duty for Pirelli tyre tests

©WRI

Renault development drivers Jack Aitken and Artem Markelov are tasked with Pirelli tyre testing this week, with the F2 racers running at Suzuka on Tuesday and Wednesday with the French team's R.S.18.

The test is part of Pirelli's development and validation work associated with its 2019 range of compounds.

As part of its 25-day test programme, each team is called upon over the course of the season to undertake two days of 'blind testing', meaning drivers are not informed of the specific compounds that are fitted to their car.

Aitken, who is Renault's official reserve driver, sampled the outfit's R.S.18 earlier this year when he took part in the Barcelona in-season test back in May. The 23-year-old Brit currently races for ART Grand Prix in the FIA Formula 2 championship.

Markelov was entrusted with an FP1 outing with Renault at Sochi, the 24-year-old Russian aspiring to graduate to F1 next season, possibly as a result of talks with Williams.

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