Mitch Evans made a happy return to Circuit de Catalunya by claiming the first victory of the 2012 GP3 Series.
New Zealander claims first win of the 2012 GP3 Series
Mitch Evans made a happy return to Circuit de Catalunya by claiming the first victory of the 2012 GP3 Series on Saturday.
The MW Arden driver's only other win in GP3 came at the track last season and he repeated the feat ahead of Marlon Stockinger of Status Grand Prix, finishing just over two and half seconds clear to pocket the 25 points.
Run in glorious weather as the temperatures rocketed up to 28 degrees, the start of the race was eventful, with Daniel Abt making a lightning getaway from P7 on the grid to take the lead before turn one ahead of pole man Antonio Felix Da Costa.
However, stewards deemed that Abt, Felix Da Costa and Antonio Spavone all made jump starts, and all received drive through penalties.
There was then drama on the first lap as Ethan Ringel and Alice Powell both retired from the race after chaos in the mid pack.
Before the penalties were given, Abt had a half second lead over the Portuguese pole-sitter, while the Lotus GP duo of Conor Daly and Aaro Vainio dropped back from the front to P5 and P6.
Good starts
Evans and Stockinger made good starts to move into third and fourth on the first lap and when Abt made his way into the pits to serve his penalty, Carlin's Felix Da Costa remained out for one further lap until he too lost time and places heading down the pitlane.
New Zealander Evans took over the lead of the race, with Stockinger promoted to second and Vainio in third and the trio went on to finish in that order.
It was MW Arden's third win in the GP3 Series, while Stockinger achieved his first ever points in the series as well as his first appearance on the podium.
Vainio made his second visit onto a GP3 rostrum - his previous time was also in Spain - while Patric Niederhauser in fourth set the fastest laptime of the race with 1:41.440, which earned him two extra points.
Matias Laine in P5 also got his first ever points in his GP3 career, ahead of Daly, Tio Ellinas, Robert Visoiu, David Fumanelli and Alex Brundle.
Jenzer Motorsport's Visoiu will start from reverse pole in Race 2 on Sunday.
