Niko Kari (Arden) wins his first GP3 race at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi. He is followed by GP3 champion George Russell (ART Grand Prix) and Arjun Maini (Jenzer) completes the podium.
It was a good start for Niko Kari who went straight into the lead, followed by George Russell and Luca Pulcini (Arden). It was a rather uneventful start, with the exception of Nirei Fukuzumi (ART Grand Prix) stalling on the grid. The latter one then trying to fight his way back and having a first lap incident with Giuliano Alesi (Trident). Causing both of the to lose positions and Alesi pitting for a new front wing.
More up front we see Luca Pulcini (Arden) on the tail of Russell, the Italian looks very quick and manages to pass the Britton for 2nd: occasionally setting the fastest lap. He is now in chase of Kari, but the Finn quickly responds by setting the fastest time, but not for long as Russell comes behind them doing purple sectors.
Anthoine Hubert (ART Grand Prix) Dorian Boccolacci (Trident) are in a battle for 7th, with the Trident driver eventually taking the advantage. With the battle, Alessio Lorandi and Steijn Schothorst are now on the back of Hubert’s tail, all fighting for 7th position. The fight is then interrupted by a Virtual Safety Car, caused by Marcos Siebert who has stopped on track. At the restart we see Boccolacci getting past Daniel Ticktum (DAMS), while Russell runs wide on the curb trying to get Pulcini.
It’s a big battle between Boccolacci and Ticktum, as both drivers give their all to pass/stay in front of the other. With all this, Hubert has closed in on them, followed by Schothorst and Lorandi. Ticktum eventually gets past Boccolacci, but when they touch, Hubert takes advantage and passes his compatriot. Some moments later we see Hubert slow down and dropping to P11, the Frenchman seeming to have some mechanical issue.
Lorandi is now all over the back of Boccolaci, with Schothorst closing in as well. While Alesi’s race is going from bad to worse, he is now stopped on track causing the 2nd Virtual Safety Car of the race. At the restart we see Russell getting past for P2, while the battle for 6th is full on with 5 drivers in the run: Boccolacci, Lorandi, Schothorst, Tveter and Jörg. Lorandi and Schothorst get past Boccolaci, who is now chased down by two of his teammates. The Frenchman will not crack under pressure though and finishes the race in front of them.
Back up front we see Maini getting dangerousely close to Pulcini for the last podium spot. The latter one suffers from a puncture and spins, this will be the end of his race. Niko Kari hist first GP3 race, followed by Russell and Maini, who secures his first podium finish. Ticktum, Lorandi, Schothorst, Boccolacci, Hubert, Tveter and Jörg complete the top 10.
