Artem Markelov will make a full-time return to the FIA Formula 2 championship in 2020 after bein🎐g named as HWA Racelab's first driv﷽er for next season.

Markelov, 25, spent three seasons in GP2 before staying in the category for two further seasons after its transition to F2 in 2017, scori🐼ng nine wins in the five-year period. The Russian switched to Super Formula in 2019, scoring a best finish of P10 on debut at Suzuka.

Markelov appeared in two F2 rounds this year - Monaco and Sochi - but will return to the series full-time for 2020 with the incoming HWA💞 Racelab team that will take over from BWT Arden.

"I am really looking forward to racing for HWA 🎀Racekab in Formula 2 next season," Markelov said. "I think we will gel quickly. HWA has a vast wealth of motorsport experience, from which I am sure I will benefit."

HWA CEO Ulrich Fritz added:🐻 "Artem is the ideal driver for us in our first season as an independent team in F2. He ✤has lots of experience at this level. His tally of eight race wins speaks for itself.

"His expertise asജ a driver will help make our intr💟oduction to the series easier. I am pleased that we were able to acquire his services."

Markelov is the first driver to be confirmed in F2 for the 2020 season, with the curren💙t campaign coming to a close in Abu Dhabi next weeken꧙d.

Markelov finished as the runner-up in the F2 standings to current꧃ F🎐errari Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc in 2017.