Markelov in talks with F1 teams for 2017 role

Artem Markelov, a Russian GP2 driver, claims he is in talks with "a number of teams" about entering formula one.

The 21-year-old, who is linked to the ownership of the Russian Time GP2 team, is currently 11th in the standings and won the Monaco feature race this year.

"Now I can say that we are negotiating with a number of formula one teams," Markelov told Russian radio Sport FM.

"I cannot rule out that we will get into the Williams (driver development) academy, but it is also not a certainty. There is still time before the end of the season," he added.

Current Williams development driver Lance Stroll is tipped to step up and become Valtteri Bottas' teammate at the British team in 2017.