Stroll wins first race under heavy rain

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS | Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam) won first race in FIA Formula 3 Europe round of Spa-Francorchamps. While the Canadian maintained a good rhythm and the lead, Günther (Prema Powerteam) and Barnicoat (HitechGP) complete podium in a race very neutralized by the Safety Car.

Pit-lane opened and drivers could check how rain was getting heavier. When race was about to start, rain was heavier than any moment this weekend and so Safety Car had to stay on track until 15 minutes were left, right in the middle of the race time.

When competition started the positions changes started. Jensen (kftzeile24 Mücke Motorsport) excelled with good movements and scaling up to three positions on track, but again had to retire due to a touch with his teammate David Beckmann in La Source.

Beckmann maintained his position while watching how Russell (HitechGP) passed Newey (Van Amersfoort Racing) for fifth position, and how Barnicoat (HiteckGP) also did with Nick Cassidy (Prema Powerteam) in an impressing move in Eau Rouge for the last position in podium.

Behind, Hubert (Van Amersfoort Racing) had to abandon when passing Lorandi (Carlin) in Bus Stop, as he touched with Guanyu Zhou (Motopark), who was trying to take his position while movement was taking place.

Race ended with last retirement when 5 minutes left, as Weiron Tan (Carlin) crashed in Les Combes and Safety Car had to leave the pit-lane, maintaining the classification until the end of the race.

Stroll ensured first race maintaining the lead and a good rhythm under the rain. Second race will start today at 4:15 pm local time.

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