Russian driver Nikolay Martsenko looks likely to be sitting out the remainder of the 2014 Formula Renault 3.5 Series season due to financial shortcomings after problems with his sponsor.
His absence from the grid and Andrea Roda’s commitments to Auto GP mean Comtec Racing will be missing from the grid when the series races at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend.
The Russian was having the best season to date in the series, and had taken his maiden podium finish at Motorland Aragon at the second event of the season. He had started the season in Monza with a double points finish with Comtec, having previously raced for the BVM Target and Pons Racing teams in the series since 2012.
Martsenko had been Comtec’s sole representative in both Monza and Motorland, before being forced to miss last weekends Monaco round. Andrea Roda raced in Monaco for the team, but his priority is the Auto GP World Series, which is also racing this weekend at the legendary Italian track of Monza.
Comtec join another British team Carlin on the Formula Renault 3.5 Series sidelines, and with ISR Racing and Tech 1 Racing continuing to only field one car, the grid for Spa is down to twenty cars.