Antonio Giovinazzi took his second British Formula 3 victory of the season following a tentative drive in the wet at Spa-Francorchamps.
Racing for Double R, the Italian enjoyed a lightning quick start, leapfrogging both from front row drivers and Jann Mardenborough to take the lead into La Source.
From there, Giovinazzi held a narrow lead over Mardenborough, with the latter pressing the race leader for several laps, until a light spin cost Mardenborough five seconds on the eighth tour.
Giovinazzi kept up the pace thereafter, although Mardenborough pulled three seconds out of the lead, but it was not enough to unseat the Italian.
There was drama after the flag when Mardenborough, unsighted by the spray, clipped Giovinazzi who had slowed to celebrate the victory with his mechanics. Giovinazzi’s rear wing received plenty of damage, while Mardenborough’s right rear wheel was ripped almost clean off.
As a result, Mardenborough goes into the next round at Brands Hatch with a five-place grid drop for causing a needless accident.
Jordan King took the final podium position thanks to a late move on poleman Nicholas Latifi. King had leaned on Latifi for much of the running, but was unable to pass until the penultimate lap, when Latifi – by now struggling for pace – was sluggish across the line, allowing King to pull alongside at La Source.
As the pair drew into the chute toward Eau Rouge, King pulled ahead to secure 3rd spot overall.
King had made easy work of Felipe Guimaraes during the opening tour; however the Fortec racer settled into 5th from there. Next up was Tatiana Calderon who drove a solid race to 6th after a poor start cost her a couple of spots.
Will Buller rescued 7th place after he received a drive through penalty on the opening lap. Mechanics for the Fortec runner were still working on his car after the 30 second board was displayed, earning Buller an automatic sanction.
Sean Galael assumed 8th, despite running 6th for much of the running, until both Calderon and Buller slipped by.
Zheng Sun won the National Class again from Jordan Oon, while Chris Vlok once again rounded out the field.
