Ivan Samarin experienced a weekend of ups and downs last time out in Morocco after narrowly missing out on a maiden podium and then being caught up in the spectacular accident involving Ricardo Teixeira.

The biggest talking point of the weekend was the high speed shunt when Teixeira rode up the back of Samarin's car at around 160mph on the opening lap of race two. The accident itself was almost lost on Samarin as it all happened so quickly for him to really take in.

"I was just trying to defend my position," said Samarin. "I saw him coming with the boost button and I only moved slightly to the right, which is normal in trying to defend my position. I began braking 160 metres before the corner, which again is normal on the opening lap with traffic and being on the dirty side of the track. I just felt a big hit from behind - then I hit De Marco and I was facing the wall.

"I didn't really know much about what had happened and it wasn't until I saw the video that I realised how crazy it was with Ricardo flying through the air - it was quite spectacular. De Marco came to speak with me immediately after the accident but I explained that it wasn't my fault. I also spoke with Ricardo but there is no conflict between us."

Samarin's race weekend had got off to an impressive start after the Russian improved by ten positions in the opening race to take a well earned fourth place. Such was the Russian's pace in the opening contest that the 21-year-old believed he could have even gone one better.

"I already had a good fight with Teixeira in the first race," he noted. "I managed to get a good run on him out of the last turn and we went side-by-side across the start/finish line and through turn one. I got by eventually but I was disappointed to see the final safety car come out when I was in fourth place.

"I had kept two boosts until that time and I was really confident of getting by Kelvin Snoeks and scoring my first podium. It wasn't to be but I was still happy with fourth. I really loved the circuit - you couldn't make any mistakes and you have to keep focussed. Overall I was generally happy with the weekend."

Having graduated from Formula 3, the BW Racing-backed driver is happy with his progress so far and feels he is getting closer and closer to the front of the field.

"The level of competition is what I expected but I am not too far away," said Ivan. "Looking at the data of the fastest driver I can see that I can reach that level. F2 is a big step for me and not racing last year also hurt me a little. I am just making some small mistakes in qualifying in using the overboost and also not getting the best out of the new tyres, but I am getting there - it is just a case of putting it all together at the same time."

Having already enjoyed racing on the classic Silverstone circuit and experiencing the Marrakech street track so far this season, Ivan is now looking forward to F2's next event at one of the sport's most famous venues - Monza.

"I have never been to Monza but I have done thousands of laps on the simulator," concluded Samarin. "It is like Silverstone - Silverstone is the home of British motorsport and Monza is the home of Italian motorsport. It is a special place and I am looking forward to it very much.

"You have the really long straight going into turn one, which should be very interesting. Everyone will be on the boost off the line and you have to be aggressive - hopefully everyone will get through the chicane but I'm sure it will be very exciting."