Sergey Afanasiev excited about Marrakech challenge

Sergey Afanasiev is eagerly anticipating Formula Two's next round at Marrakech, with the Russian admitting the challenging street circuit may mean care and consistency are just as important as raw speed when it comes to scoring points.

Afanasiev currently lies third in the overall standings, after a superb start to the season saw him claim a podium in race one and sixth in race two. Whilst he is looking to carry such form into Marrakech and indeed the rest of the season, Afanasiev admits precise driving may be just as important as outright pace when it comes to the Moroccan street circuit.

"Nobody has been to Marrakech before, so it's hard to predict what will happen," Afanasiev said. "I have raced at Pau and on Russian street circuits, and the fastest person will be whoever has the most balls and likes to take risks – but in this case you don't know if they will finish or not, you don't know what could happen. You have to be fast but also careful – for sure it is tricky, but I'm excited and I'll be looking to pick up points again."

Afanasiev's previous experience of street circuits could well stand him in good stead for the weekend, and allow him to build upon an already impressive opening to the year. "It was a good result for me at Silverstone," he noted – "on the first weekend, on a circuit I had never been to before, I was more than happy with third in the first race and glad with sixth in race two.

"Actually in race two I had a very exciting first lap, and after a good start from the middle of the grid I tried to pass (Will) Bratt on the outside of Stowe, in the same way Eng tried to pass me in race one. It didn't work at all, but the problem was I decided to push the boost button a little late and by then it was already too late. If I did it a little earlier it would have been enough to pass Bratt, and then I could have been even higher in the race.

"In Russia they asked me whether I would be able to show my potential straight away, and I said 'No: first we have Silverstone, where I have never been and for sure the English guys will be really fast, and then we have Marrakech and Monza, where anything can happen. To be honest though I have a made a good start, and now I just need to continue in this way and everything will look good at the end of the season."

The 2010 FIA Formula Two Championship visits Marrakech on 30 April – 1/2 May, with the opening practice session commencing at 09:45 local time.