GP3 – C1: Russell leads an ART GP hat-trick

Starting from pole position, George Russell (ART GP) was however overtaken by Nirei Fukuzumi (ART GP) on the first pass on Kemmel Straight. The ordeal begins for DAMS with a puncture for Matthieu Vaxiviere in the second round and contact between Bruno Batista and Tatiana Calderón forced the Brazilian to retire and offered a 10-second penalty to the Colombian.

The virtual safety car entered the track for half a lap and Russell passed his teammate again at Kemmel Straight, two laps before Jack Aitken (ART GP) passed the Japanese for second place. If the three ARTs fight at the front, Anthoine Hubert is forced to abandon on the 5th^e turn.

Things accelerate in the final laps with Fukuzumi and Aitken swapping places using tire management and DRS, allowing Arjun Maini (Jenzer) to stick to the train. But the British-Korean keeps the advantage on the line.

George Russell takes his third victory of the season ahead of Jack Aitken and Nirei Fukuzumi for a new ART GP hat-trick. Arjun Maini finishes 4^e in front of the Tridents of Dorian Boccolacci, Ryan Tveter and Giuliano Alesi. Julien Falchero (Campos) finishes 8^e and inherits the reverse pole for the second race. Niko Kari (Arden) and Kevin Jörg (Trident) complete the top 10.