Red Bull junior driver Daniil Kvyat was calm and collected as he took his maiden win in GP3.
Storming the Ardennes to take victory at Spa, Kvyat took his MW Arden machine to victory following substantial pressure from ART Grand Prix‘s Conor Daly who couldn’t break past in the entire 13 lap race.
Extending his championship lead is Facu Regalia who gained a good third place – benefitting from retirements ahead of him to quickly jump up the field.
The early running was disrupted by a safety car sent out to aid the marshals in clearing up the two GP3/13s of Emanuele Zonzini and Josh Webster in the Status GP car after they both tangled at La Source. Indeed the safety car was needed again very shortly after it went back in following Adderly Fong collecting Patric Niederhauser after braking too late again going into La Source.
All these incidents lead to retirements for those involved but those still running couldn’t match the close racing provided by pole sitter Carlos Sainz and Jack Harvey who were squabbling for the final podium position.
The battle eventually ended up in tears after Brit Harvey – plying his trade for ART – tried going up the inside of the Spaniard but contact between the pair led to yet another safety car which would stay out until the chequered flag was waved.
That mean Regalia finished third, with Koiranen GP‘s Kevin Korjus finishing fourth – who managed to get around Alex Sims following a failed move by the Brit to get past the Argentinian.
Another big winner on the last green flag lap was second place in the GP3 points Tio Ellinas. The Cypriot Carlin driver ended the day eighth and on pole for race two with a good chance of further extending his GP3 series lead.
In sixth place was Nick Yelloly getting another solid result ahead of another man with a good finish Bamboo Engineering‘s Melville McKee.
One championship contender who suffered the rough end of the stick was Aaro Vainio – the Koiranen driver suffered a punctured tyre and was classified last of those still running.
Heading into the GP3 points table sees Regalia on 115 with a 10 point lead over Ellinas with Conor Daly trailing majorly on 89 points who himself is only two points ahead Korjus.
